Crossrail has delayed the awarding of the two main tunnelling contracts by at least half a year. The contracts were to be awarded in mid 2010 but T&T has learnt they will not be awarded until next year. A Crossrail spokesman said the delay would not postpone the start of tunnelling works.
Crossrail spokesman Ankeeta Munsi said: “Bids for two of the tunnelling contracts have been submitted and are being evaluated. It is the current intention to award in 2011. The mid 2010 date was always an indicative date. Tunnelling construction activity will get underway in 2011 as planned.”
The delayed contracts are C300 and C305.
C300, also known as Tunnels West, comprises the construction of twin 6.2m diameter bores running 6.2km from Royal Oak to Farringdon Station.
C305, known as Tunnels East, comprises three tunnel lengths. The major part of the contract is the twin 6.2m diameter bored tunnels from the Limmo Peninsular through to Farringdon Station, with a total length of 8.3km long. Next is the 2.7km drive from Stepney Green through to the Pudding Mill Lane portal. Finally is the 0.9km drive from the Limmo Peninsular through to the Victoria Dock portal.
