The surge of developments for the Crossrail project has continued with non-exec Chairman Terry Morgan starting half a year early, fewer shafts to be built, the award of Enabling Works Framework Agreements and plans unveiled for the Tunnelling Academy.
In addition, the Department for Transport (DfT) picked Jacobs Engineering UK (supported by KPMG) to be its Project Representative.
Morgan, formerly chief executive of Tube Lines, was to have joined Crossrail in November. His early arrival sees Douglas Oakervee leave after having taken the (US$24bn project through development to win Royal Assent and into procurement.
Chief executive of Crossrail Ltd is Rob Holden, formerly chief executive of London and Continental Railways (LCR) which built High Speed One. Crossrail Ltd was formerly Cross London Rail Links Ltd, and since last December is owned by Transport for London (TfL). Previously, it was an equal JV with DfT.
Crossrail involves excavation of a total of 41.5km of 6m i.d. in twin tube tunnels by an anticipated total of seven TBMs. Main construction work is to start in 2010, the first tunnel drives are programmed to start in 2011 for rail services to commence in 2017.
Eight shafts have been removed from the design following proposals put to London Fire Brigade (LFB). Last year, LFB agreed in principle to fewer of the approximately 9m diameter shafts for use as permanent access and ventilation structures. The key structures in emergency incidents will be cross passages to enable evacuation and also allow LFB and services get nearer to the site of any incident.
Enabling Works Framework Agreements have been awarded to 17 companies, grouped for bid opportunities in four areas – site facilities, demolition, civil structures and utilities. The firms with the four-year agreements are:
Site facilities: Select Plant Hire; BAM Nuttall; and, Fitzpatrick Contractors.
Demolition: Laing O’Rourke Construction; John F Hunt Demolition; Keltbray; Brown & Mason; PJ Carey (Contractors); BAM Nuttall; Kier Construction; and, McGee Group.
Civils: Laing O’Rourke Construction; Costain Skanska Construction JV UK; Carillion Civil Engineering; Kier Construction; Morgan EST; J Murphy & Sons; and, Balfour Beatty.
Utilities: Morgan Est; Costain Skanska Construction JV UK; McNicholas; J Murphy & Sons; Clancy Docwra; and, Laing O’Rourke Construction.
A Tunnelling Academy is to be launched in Spring 2010 as a partnership between the construction industry and Crossrail, and is to train about 1000 people to 2015.
Bechtel, recently named Project Delivery Partner is also to have similar role for Network Rail’s involvement in the project (T&TI, April, p7).