Skanska chosen to build deep cable tunnels

Skanska announced on 5 January that it has been awarded a contract to build approximately 33km of cable tunnels through the centre of London

Awarded by Costain working for electricity and gas company National Grid, the contract is worth GBP 92M (USD 143.4M).

The overall contract for the project was awarded by National Grid to Costain in October 2010 and was valued at around GBP 200M (USD 312M).

The tunnels will be between 3 and 4m in diameter and will be situated 20 to 60m below ground and will serve the National Grid network, housing the new high voltage electricity cables that will run between Hackney and Willesden via Kensal Green and Kensal Green to Wimbledon.

Construction will begin this year with tunnelling concluded by the end of 2014. Total completion of all associated works is set for November 2018.

The contracts also require the construction of ventilation equipment and all necessary access shafts.

“Our ambitious tunnelling programme will be built below the existing network, minimising disruption while making sure we continue to deliver a reliable service to millions of people and businesses. As well as replacing the existing system and increasing the capacity of the network, the new tunnels will make it easier for us inspect and maintain these circuits safely and efficiently well into the future,” said Michael Dyke, UK construction Director of National Grid.