Tunneling works have concluded for the UK’s new £14.8bn east-west Crossrail rail link in London.
The works started in 2012 and finished at Farringdon using tunnelling machine Victoria.
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Eight 1,000t tunnelling machines were used to bore 42km of new 6.2m diameter rail tunnels under London.
Expected to arrive in 2018, Crossrail will make Farringdon one of the UK’s busiest rail hubs.
The new interchange is set to provide more capacity and direct connections to three of London’s five airports, as well as international rail services at St Pancras.
Adding 10% capacity to London’s rail network, Crossrail will serve 40 stations and connect Reading and Heathrow in the west with Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east.
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By GlobalDataUK Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: "When the first trains start running through these tunnels from 2018, Crossrail, together with the billions of pounds we are investing in the Thameslink Programme, will transform travel across London and the south-east.
"It will also play a vital role in driving forward our long-term economic plan by boosting business and creating thousands of new jobs."
London Transport Commissioner Peter Hendy CBE said: "When Crossrail fully opens it will provide much needed new transport links and capacity, helping to support London’s continued economic growth and meet the demands of our rapidly growing population."
Crossrail and its supply chain are expected to support almost 55,000 full time jobs across the country.
Image: Crossrail is expected to arrive in 2018. Photo: courtesy of Crossrail.
