Crossrail C310 Thames Tunnel

The Crossrail project comprised of 21km of new twin-bore rail tunnels, 40 stations including 10 new stations and 100km of track. HOCHTIEF-MURPHY (HMJV) were contracted to complete the C310 Thames Tunnel element of the project, which took the line from Plumstead (on the South of the river) to North Woolwich (on the North). 

The scope of works involved constructing twin 2.7km tunnels, 6.2m in diameter and extensive portal structures and Woolwich Station Box (concourse slabs, lower level platform structures and roof slabs). The project was challenging, both technically and operationally, due to its location, critical third parties, difficult geotechnical conditions and community interfaces. The tunnel passed underneath several Grade II listed buildings, operational railway tracks, utilities and existing tunnels. C310 was the only project passing under the River Thames and as such was deemed by the client to be one of the highest risks of the entire scheme. The effect of pressure due to tidal variation, difficult ground conditions and key asset protection had to be accounted for in tunnelling and required HMJV to provide innovative solutions. Even in these conditions HMJV managed to build an almost "dust dry tunnel". Most significantly this meant operational maintenance requirements and cost would be reduced during the 120 years of design life – optimising the project’s "cradle to grave" cost.