23.04.12
Connaught Tunnel refurbishment underway
Crossrail works at Connaught Tunnel are well underway, as dewatering wells are sunk and preparations to dismantle the 130-year-old pump house begin. The project will improve the poor structural condition of the tunnel and allow it to accommodate larger Crossrail trains.
The major repairs to the 1km Connaught Tunnel include widening the 550 metres of twin tunnels at the centre, putting in new tracks, waterproofing, installing new water pumps and cleaning the 130 years of coal and soot from the bricks.
The new wells will deepen and widen the tunnel and draw down the water table, while the original pump house is too small to accommodate the larger modern pumping equipment which will be installed. Ballast and rail tracks have been removed and major piling works are underway to strengthen the ground.
Project manager Linda Miller said: “Works are progressing extremely well and we are on track for turning this Victorian railway tunnel into modern infrastructure that will service London well into the next century.
“Major works will begin early next year after the London Boat Show, which will include placing coffer dams in the passage between Royal Victoria and Royal Albert docks, pumping out the water and performing engineering open heart surgery to widen and deepen the central section of the tunnel.”
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