Crossrail is the biggest construction project in Europe and is one of the largest single infrastructure investments undertaken in the UK.
It is managing and delivering a multiple worksite programme with construction works running concurrently across the whole route.
Over 10,000 people are working directly on Crossrail at over 40 construction sites – with tens of thousands more jobs to be created during the coming years in the supply chain including more than 400 apprenticeships.
Crossrail is the first complete new underground line in more than 30 years. It is one of the most ambitious transport construction projects undertaken in London since the original Paddington to Farringdon section of the Underground opened in 1863 or the deep-level Tube boom of the early 1900s which saw the construction of the Bakerloo, Central and Piccadilly lines.
Transport infrastructure investment not only keeps Britain moving but also drives the economy forward, increases our competitive edge, creates employment during delivery while also maintaining the health of the engineering, construction as well as design industries.
Much of the tunnel construction for the London Underground network was undertaken by hand. Today, 42 kilometres of Crossrail tunnels are being constructed beneath the busy streets of London by huge tunnel boring machines.
Crossrail started tunnelling works in May 2012. We currently have seven giant tunnelling machines in the ground constructing our rail tunnels and over 19km of tunnel have now been constructed. A total of 42km of tunnel will be built for Crossrail, with tunnelling due to complete in 2014.