The government has given the green light for contractors on the Lower Thames Crossing project to begin procurement of a tunnel boring machine (TBM).
The Bouygues Travaux Publics-Murphy joint venture is now inviting tenders from prospective suppliers to build the TBM.
The machine will be one of the world’s largest, capable of digging through the complex ground conditions 60m below the River Thames.
Delivered by National Highways, the Lower Thames Crossing is expected to be the first major infrastructure project to be carbon neutral in construction.
As part of a low-carbon approach, just one machine will be required to dig both the northbound and southbound tunnels.
The 16.4m-wide TBM will excavate the tunnels, allowing three lanes of traffic in each direction and doubling road capacity across the Thames, east of London. Measuring more than 4km in length, it will be the longest road tunnel in the UK.
The machine is expected to be purchased next year, before tunnelling begins in 2028.
Work on the northern tunnel entrance, where the TBM will begin its journey, will start next summer.
The 110m-long, 26m-deep structure will be built within a new worksite that will include a temporary factory to produce the concrete segments needed to line the tunnel.
Critical infrastructure
Matt Palmer, executive director of the Lower Thames Crossing, said: “The search for our giant tunnel boring machine is now on, putting us on track to open the Lower Thames Crossing in the early 2030s.
“We’re a step closer to delivering this vital piece of infrastructure, which will improve the journeys for millions and drive growth by creating jobs and new opportunities for business and trade.”
The announcement comes just days after the chancellor confirmed a £891m investment in the scheme as part of the autumn budget.
Simon Lightwood, minister for roads and buses, said the launch of the procurement process is a “major step forward” for the project and reflects the government’s determination to “deliver the infrastructure our economy needs to grow”.
“By unlocking vital capacity across the Thames, the Lower Thames Crossing will relieve congestion at Dartford and create better connections between our ports, manufacturing centres and communities, but also be a key driver of jobs, growth and opportunity,” Lightwood added.
