Crossrail Ltd has issued its latest project update on progress to complete the Elizabeth line and confirmed that the central section remains on track to be substantially complete by the end of the first quarter next year with full testing of the railway to begin at the earliest opportunity during 2020.
Progress made on Crossrail during 2019 includes the handover of key pieces of completed infrastructure to Transport for London, the completion of fit-out work at many of the new stations and the completion of all physical work on the shafts and portals.
The organisation has been rebuilt by the new leadership team and now has a grip on the programme’s priorities and a firm plan in place to complete the railway.
Crossrail will be able to provide more detail on its delivery timetable early in the New Year but in this final update of 2019 Crossrail chief executive Mark Wild says good progress had been made during the year.
Mark Wild, Chief Executive, Crossrail Ltd said: “The Crossrail project has made significant progress during 2019 with many of the stations now nearing completion and fit-out of the tunnels almost complete. We know we have much to do to win back the trust of Londoners but all our focus is on ensuring we deliver a railway that is safe, reliable and exceptional. I hope it will give the reassurance needed that this railway is now firmly back on track and will open as soon as practically possible in 2021.
“We have a robust plan to complete the Elizabeth line and the milestones we need to hit including the completion of software development, safety assurance and the testing of the signalling and train systems. Much progress has been made during 2019 thanks to the improved collaboration with the supply chain and contractors on the project and increased contractor productivity. There are no short cuts to completing this railway, we must do a proper job and complete the Elizabeth line to the highest standards of safety and reliability.”
Good progress continues to be made at Whitechapel and Bond Street stations with Whitechapel now meeting the requirements for Trial Running next year.
Farringdon has reached a sufficient level of completion to enable personal protective clothing to no longer be required in the majority of the site.
Fit-out of the tunnels will complete by the end of the January.Full testing of the railway will commence at the earliest opportunity in 2020 with testing of the signalling and train software currently underway in the central section. Network Rail is also delivering a key part of Crossrail and has completed all infrastructure works to support the commencement of TfL Rail services between Paddington and Reading on 15 December.
View the update here.
Photo credit: Martin Hoscik / Shutterstock.com
