Breakthrough into the station box hailed as a milestone for the project
Crossrail鈥檚 tunnelling machines have reached Canary Wharf today, in what is being hailed as a major milestone for the project.
The first tunnel boring machine, named Elizabeth, broke through to the Canary Wharf station box this morning.
Over seven and half miles of tunnels have now been bored by the project鈥檚 machines, which will eventually complete 26 miles of tunnel under London.
Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin said the project was 鈥渋nvesting in Britain鈥�.
He added: 鈥淥ver the past few years Crossrail has let contracts worth more than 拢6bn, more than half going to small and medium-sized businesses, which are supporting jobs across the country.
鈥淔urthermore, through innovative schemes like the Tunnelling and Underground Construction Academy, Crossrail is providing thousands of people with new skills that will not only help transform the capital鈥檚 transport network but will allow this country to compete on a global stage for years to come.鈥�
Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said the milestone meant there was now 鈥渘o doubt that it [Crossrail] is on its way鈥�.
He said: 鈥淭his new railway is adding vital new capacity to our transport network and creating thousands of jobs all over the UK. It is the perfect example of how investment in London benefits the entire country.鈥�
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