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The portal provides a structure for the receipt of the tunnel boring machines (TBM) and a transition from the underground sections of Crossrail to the above ground section between Victoria Dock Portal and the existing Connaught Tunnel.
Work includes construction and excavation of the tunnel portal approx 355m in length, 12m wide including phased construction to facilitate the retrieval or launch of tunnel boring machines by others.
The project also involves realigning 420m of the Docklands Light Railway.
Construction of Victoria Dock Portal will get underway in autumn 2012. It is anticipated that the contract will be awarded in spring 2012.
Five new tunnel portals will be constructed as part of Crossrail at Royal Oak, Pudding Mill Lane, Victoria Dock, North Woolwich and Plumstead.
The Western and Eastern running tunnels will have tunnel portals at Royal Oak, Pudding Mill Lane and Victoria Dock. The Thames Tunnel between North Woolwich and Plumstead will have tunnel portals constructed at either end.
Construction of the first tunnel portal got underway at Royal Oak in January 2010 and is due to complete in early 2012. The first Crossrail tunnel boring machine will set out on its journey from Royal Oak towards Farringdon in spring 2012.
The North Woolwich and Plumstead portals are included as part of main works for the C310 Thames Tunnel contract. Enabling and mobilisation works are currently underway at Plumstead with utility diversion and ground clearance works ongoing at North Woolwich.
Enabling works for Pudding Mill Lane Portal started over a year ago and are on schedule to be completed at the end of 2011. Main construction for Pudding Mill Lane Portal is now underway.
Crossrail programme director Andy Mitchell said: “The procurement process for the remaining Crossrail tunnel portal is now underway. The contract for Victoria Dock Portal will be awarded next year. Construction of Royal Oak Portal is advanced and is due to complete in early 2012 ahead of the first tunnel boring machine being launched from Royal Oak in spring 2012. Main construction at Pudding Mill Lane Portal is now underway with advance and enabling works progressing at the North Woolwich and Plumstead portal sites.”
Costain Skanska JV were awarded the contract to deliver the Royal Oak Portal.
Construction of Pudding Mill Lane Portal is being undertaken by Morgan Sindall.
Construction of North Woolwich and Plumstead portals are being undertaken by a joint venture of Hochtief and J Murphy & Sons. These works are included as part of the C310 Thames Tunnel contract.
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