Sadiq Khan makes first Elizabeth line journey

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has made the first station-to-station journey from the new Elizabeth line station at Custom House to Canary Wharf to mark Crossrail’s construction programme reaching the 75 per cent complete milestone.

The Mayor met with a number of engineers and apprentices working on Europe’s largest infrastructure project.

Half of the permanent track on the line has now been laid, and nearly all of the platform structures, which will give step-free access to the 200m long trains at all of the ten new stations, have also been built.

Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, described the opening of the Elizabeth line as “a landmark moment for London”.

He said: “It will help us deliver a modern, truly world-class transport system that allows us to deal with the growth in London’s population over the coming decades.

“I visited the Canary Wharf station site as Transport Minister in 2010 when construction had just got underway. The fact that the project is now 75 per cent complete, and being delivered on time and within budget is testament to the hard work of the thousands of men and women who have worked on the project.

“It is vital for the future prosperity of our city that progress continues apace and we deliver this wonderful project on time. With brand new trains and all the stations being step-free, the opening of the Elizabeth line will improve the quality of life for millions of people across London and the south east, and provide a huge boost to our economy.”

Andrew Wolstenholme, Crossrail Chief Executive said: “The Crossrail programme has now reached 75 per cent complete. The remaining 25 per cent of the programme will present a new set of challenges as we finish installing the critical components that will transform this major infrastructure project into an operating railway.

Mr Wolstenholme said the project was “vital to the future success of the capital”.

Crossrail expect the project to be delivered on time and on budget in 2018.

If you would like to read more articles like this then please click here

The post Sadiq Khan makes first Elizabeth line journey appeared first on UK Construction Online.