Excavation on HS2 tunnels passes halfway point

Construction on the network of tunnels for HS2 has now passed the half way point, it has been revealed.

HS2 which is in peak construction, confirmed that excavation had been completed on two of its five twin-bore tunnels at both the one-mile long Long Itchington Wood Tunnel in Warwickshire and both drives of the 10-mile-long Chiltern Tunnel.

As well as the completion of the two tunnels, work is continuing at pace on two others. In London, four tunnel boring machines (TBM’s) are digging the 8.4-mile Northolt Tunnel. The machines are currently boring from West Ruislip on the outskirts of the city, to Greenford in north-west London, whilst two more are building a 3.4-mile section of the tunnel from Ealing to Green Park Way.

Further work is continuing in the Midlands, with just over one mile of the eventual 3.5-mile drive completed on the Bromford Tunnel between Water Orton and Washwood Heath. A second TBM has just started the second bore.

The progress on the tunnels has tipped the percentage of excavation and completion to over 50%. And has eclipsed the length of tunnels bored for Crossrail line beneath London.

HS2 also confirmed that “significant preparatory works” on the Euston Tunnel which will stretch from Old Oak Common to Euston once finished, has started. This is despite there currently being no official confirmation that Euston station itself is to be built.

Rail minister Huw Merriman said: “Reaching this impressive milestone on a project of HS2’s scale shows just how much momentum is behind construction of the line, which, once complete, will have a transformative impact on rail travel for generations to come.

“It’s a significant achievement for the team helping deliver this railway and I’m delighted the project has now supported record numbers of new jobs, demonstrating the vital role it is playing in creating opportunities up and down the country.”

Work on the tunnels will not be completed once the drives are finished as HS2 will then move to the next stage of the project, with construction of features such as the cross-passages, vent shafts and portals starting.

Jackie Roe, HS2’s civils delivery director said: “The halfway point for our tunnelling programme is a fantastic milestone, but we’ve still got a lot of work to do on the tunnels, including all cross passages, vent shafts and then fitting them out with the critical rail and power systems that will eventually allow trains to safely operate.”