Tunnelling contracts were awarded for western-running tunnels (from Royal Oak to Farringdon) and eastern-running tunnels (from Limmo Peninsula to Farringdon; Limmo Peninsula to Victoria Dock and Stepney Green to Pudding Mill Lane.) The western tunnels are to be constructed in a joint venture comprising of BAM Nuttall, Ferrovial Agroman (UK) and Kier Construction, while the eastern tunnels will be built by Dragados and John Sisk & Son (Holdings).

Tunnelling activity will commence in late 2011 with the first tunnel boring machine (TBM) starting out on its journey in spring 2012.

These contracts are the first of nearly thirty major contracts that will be awarded by Crossrail over the next eighteen months.

“Significant competition in the construction industry for Crossrail work has delivered highly competitive bids. Over £1bn in savings to Crossrail’s construction costs have been identified to-date in part due to a more efficient construction timetable and these contract awards will help secure these savings. Crossrail will award a further series of tunnel construction contracts in 2011 including the new Thames Tunnel between North Woolwich and Plumstead,” Rob Holden, Crossrail Chief Executive said.

Crossrail will run 118 km from Maidenhead and Heathrow in the west, through new twin-bore 21 km tunnels under central London to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east. It will bring an additional 1.5 million people within 45 minutes commuting distance of London's key business districts.

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