Construction works complete at Farringdon Elizabeth line station

Farringdon is the first of the central London stations to reach the T-12 landmark. This means the station is substantially complete and it is now considered to be 12 weeks away from being ready for handover to Transport for London (TfL), who will operate the Elizabeth line.

Work at the station will now focus on the extensive testing and commissioning of systems ahead of the Elizabeth line opening.

Reaching this important milestone allows the contractor to start demobilising from the site and enables Crossrail to commence the process of handing the station over to TfL. Custom House was the first of the new Elizabeth line stations to be handed over to TfL earlier this year.

Farringdon Elizabeth line station has been built by the BAM, Ferrovial and Kier Joint Venture (BFK JV) and will have step-free access for passengers from street to train. The station will have two main entrances, both with ticket halls, one at the Barbican and the other at the existing Farringdon Underground and Thameslink station.

A reduced BFK JV team will remain at Farringdon until next year to continue to meet their duties as the principal contractor, which include providing care and custody maintenance of the station assets and systems and support the final handover process to TfL.

Paddington is expected to be the next station where construction activity will complete and will then be followed by a number of the central London station sites over the coming months.

Mark Wild, Crossrail Chief Executive, said: ‘This is an incredibly important landmark for both the team at Farringdon station and for the Crossrail project as a whole. We have now reached the end of the construction phase at the first of our central London stations and the start of the testing and safety assurance journey which will enable us to hand over the station to Transport for London and open the Elizabeth line to passengers. I am proud of everyone who has worked so hard to get this magnificent new railway station over the line and I know that when it is open to passengers it will become an important and much-loved addition to London’s transport network.’

Jose Antonio Pariente, Project Director, BAM Ferrovial Kier, said:

‘Being the first of the central London Elizabeth line stations to attain this status is a source of immense pride for the BFK team. In addition, having worked on Europe’s largest infrastructure scheme, with all the complexity involved and seeing the positive changes to the industry, as a result of the extraordinary work completed by the integrated delivery team, has been key for all concerned. The positive legacy of the Elizabeth line’s construction phase and its benefits will be felt by generations to come. I want to take this opportunity to thank all those involved across Crossrail, BFK and in our supply chain, who have shown great strength, commitment and passion at every stage.’

Kim Kapur, London Underground’s Head of Station Integration, said: ‘In just a matter of weeks the London Underground team will take responsibility for the Farringdon Elizabeth line station. This is an exciting time and an important milestone for the Elizabeth line as we begin the process of training and familiarisation at one of the new stations.’

When the Elizabeth line opens, Farringdon station will be one of the busiest in the UK, connecting with Thameslink and the London Underground to provide links with outer London, the home counties, the City, Canary Wharf and three of London’s six airports.

Click here for the original press release.