Crossrail has announced the award of the first six contracts in its Enabling Works Framework.
The packages, and winning contractors, are as follows:
* Package C209 - Farringdon Demolition - Eastern Ticket Hall - Keltbray
* Package C223 - Bond Street Eastern & Western Ticket Hall - Select Plant Hire Company
* Package C225 - Liverpool Street Site Facilities - Select Plant Hire Company
* Package C244 - Whitechapel working platform over East London Line - Kier ե֭
* Package C271 - Paddington Integrated Project (site facilities, piling and groundworks) - Carillion
* Package C330 - Royal Oak Portal - Costain Skanska JV
“The first contracts awarded under the Enabling Works Framework are visible evidence that Crossrail is now gearing up towards the start of main construction this year,” said Crossrail programme director Andy Mitchell.
Crossrail also announced that preparatory work was well underway for the tunnel portal structure at Royal Oak in west London.
This is currently being managed by Network Rail on behalf of Crossrail. Work will bill begin shortly on a 190m-long diaphragm walled box, which will form the foundation from which tunnelling will commence in late 2011.
Construction of the western tunnel portal will continue after the start of tunnelling and is scheduled for completion in 2014.
“2010 is a huge year for Crossrail, with main construction commencing on Europe’s largest infrastructure project,” said Crossrail chief executive Rob Holden. “Work is now underway at Canary Wharf, Farringdon, Paddington and Tottenham Court Road with construction at the remaining stations on Crossrail’s central section beginning this year.”
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