July 7/17 JULY ISSUE -7 | Page 15

LARGEST CTION PROJECT The Crossrail project is the biggest construction project in Europe and is one of the largest single infrastruc- ture investments ever undertaken in the UK. 75 per cent of the project has now been delivered, and the project is being delivered on time and on budget. Over two-thirds of the permanent track on the line has now been laid, and nearly all of the platform struc- tures, which will give step-free access to the 200m long trains at all of the 10 new stations, have also been built. Over the course of the next year, the railway and new stations will continue to take shape as the tunnels are fur- nished with over 15,000km of cable which will deliver power, lighting and communications systems through the tunnels. Over 4km of full height platform edge screens will be fitted at stations. This will help with the circu- lation of air and to maintain tempera- ture levels along with huge vent fans that will be installed at 18 locations across the route. Since the construction of the new railway began in 2009, over 15,000 men and women have worked on the project and over 100 million working hours have been completed. Over 600 apprentices have also been re- cruited on the Crossrail project.