This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jun/04/london-crossrail-train-tunnels-finished-three-years-non-stop-digging

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Crossrail train tunnels finished after three years of non-stop digging Crossrail tunnel digging finished after three years of non-stop work
(about 1 hour later)
After three years of non-stop digging by eight giant machines, the final inches of Crossrail’s 26 miles of train tunnels were cut out of the London clay on Thursday morning.After three years of non-stop digging by eight giant machines, the final inches of Crossrail’s 26 miles of train tunnels were cut out of the London clay on Thursday morning.
Commuters must wait a further three years until trains run through the latest tracks in London’s subterranean warren. But yesterday’s breakthrough, which saw a 100m-long German-built machine named Victoria smash its way into Farringdon, marks a significant milestone in the £14.8bn project to build a new east-west rail line through the capital. Commuters must wait a further three years until trains run through the latest tracks in London’s subterranean warren. But Thursday’s breakthrough, which saw a 100 metre-long German-built machine named Victoria smash its way into Farringdon, marks a significant milestone in the £14.8bn project to build a new east-west rail line through the capital.
Related: Tunnel vision: London’s Crossrail enters its final legRelated: Tunnel vision: London’s Crossrail enters its final leg
The line, running from Berkshire to Essex via Heathrow and Canary Wharf, will carry an estimated 200m passengers a year from 2018. The line, running from Essex to Berkshire via Canary Wharf and Heathrow, will carry an estimated 200 million passengers a year from 2018.
One of the biggest engineering projects in Europe in recent times, Crossrail currently employs over 10,000 people. Around 150 of its workers were told by David Cameron, underground in hi-vis clothing beside Victoria to mark the completion of tunnelling, that the project made him “dead proud to be your prime minister”.One of the biggest engineering projects in Europe in recent times, Crossrail currently employs over 10,000 people. Around 150 of its workers were told by David Cameron, underground in hi-vis clothing beside Victoria to mark the completion of tunnelling, that the project made him “dead proud to be your prime minister”.
Construction on Crossrail started at Canary Wharf in 2009, while the first of the eight tunnelling machines started drilling in May 2012, weaving their way between Tube lines, sewers and foundations as far down as 120ft below London’s streets. Construction on Crossrail started at Canary Wharf in 2009, while the first of the eight tunnelling machines started drilling in May 2012, weaving their way between tube lines, sewers and foundations as far down as 120 feet (36.6 metres) below London’s streets.
Boris Johnson, the outgoing London mayor, said the tunnels were “a huge success for the whole of the UK economy” and used the occasion to urge support for Crossrail 2, a planned north-south London line.Boris Johnson, the outgoing London mayor, said the tunnels were “a huge success for the whole of the UK economy” and used the occasion to urge support for Crossrail 2, a planned north-south London line.
Related: The building of Crossrail – in picturesRelated: The building of Crossrail – in pictures
At their peak, the machines – mini-factories on wheels that dug out earth while laying tracks and lining the tunnel with concrete segments – created around 100m of new, 6.2m-wide tunnel a week. The excavated earth was shipped down the Thames to Essex to create a nature reserve for birds at Wallasea Island. At their peak, the machines – mini-factories on wheels that dug out earth while laying tracks and lining the tunnel with concrete segments – created around 100 metres of new, 6.2 metre-wide tunnel a week. The excavated earth was shipped down the Thames to Essex to create a nature reserve for birds at Wallasea Island.
Planners warn that even this line will only ease congestion a little as London’s population grows to a forecast 10 million around 2030 – a rate of growth that outstrips the 10% more capacity Crossrail adds to the crowded network. Planners warn that even this line will only ease congestion a little as London’s population grows to a predicted 10 million by 2030 – a rate of growth that outstrips the 10% of extra capacity Crossrail adds to the crowded network.
Crossrail starts running in full from 2018, although another step on the road was marked this week when Transport for London took over the running of part of the route from Liverpool Street to Shenfield. Crossrail will start running in full from 2018, although another step on the road was marked this week when Transport for London took over the running of part of the route from Liverpool Street to Shenfield in Essex.