{"id":5245,"date":"2022-04-04T00:06:05","date_gmt":"2022-04-03T22:06:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.revistaitransporte.com\/?p=5245"},"modified":"2022-04-07T17:24:05","modified_gmt":"2022-04-07T15:24:05","slug":"a-tunnel-under-the-thames-to-relieve-londons-congestion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.revistaitransporte.com\/a-tunnel-under-the-thames-to-relieve-londons-congestion\/","title":{"rendered":"A tunnel under the Thames to relieve London\u2019s congestion"},"content":{"rendered":"

The new tunnel will be the first infrastructure to be built across the Thames since 1991, increasing public transport provision sixfold upon its commissioning. The project, which is being undertaken by London\u2019s public transport authority Transport for London (TfL), is the largest road investment in this area of the city in the last 30 years. It includes the design and construction of 1.4 kilometres twin bored tunnels under the River Thames, which, together with the cut-and-cover tunnels at both ends, add up to a total tunnel length of 2 kilometres. The design also includes the necessary road works and junctions for tunnel access. With a budget of more than one billion pounds, the project has been awarded to the RiverLinx consortium, which is responsible for its design, execution, financing, operation and maintenance. RiverLinx is made up of Spanish operator Cintra, construction companies Ferrovial-Agroman and BAM Nuttal, engineering firms SK E&C, designers Ayesa, Arup, Cowi and financiers Aberdeen Standard Investment and Macquarie Capital.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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General layout of the route of the tunnel under the River Thames.<\/p><\/div>\n

In turn, RiverLinx has contracted Ineco\/RPS joint venture as an Independent Certifier throughout the design and construction process. As such, Ineco is participating in the construction of the tunnel, bringing its extensive experience in the supervision of particularly complex tunnels. The contract is being executed through a joint venture with the company RPS, in which Ineco has a 57% shareholding. Both companies will provide support as an Independent Certifier until the commissioning of the new tunnel. The design phase started in 2020, with work scheduled for completion in 2025.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Less traffic jams, better connections<\/h4>\n

Currently, the only means of crossing the Thames in this area of the city is the Blackwall Tunnel, which has been in service for over 120 years, with very high levels of congestion (over 48,000 vehicles per day in each direction) and gauge limitations. It is estimated that more than one million hours of congestion are generated each year due to tunnel capacity constraints, with an economic impact of 10 million pounds each year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ineco is\u00a0<\/span>contributing its experience in the supervision\u00a0<\/span>of particularly\u00a0<\/span>complex tunnels<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The new tunnel will be the first road crossing under the River Thames since the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge opened on the outskirts of London more than 30 years ago. It is estimated that the tunnel\u2019s area of influence will see an increase in population of 650,000 people and the creation of 286,000 new jobs by 2036. Once operational, it will enable a six-fold increase in public transport capacity in this area of London. Today, due to the limitations of the tunnels, there is only one bus service that allows crossing between the two eastern neighbourhoods of the city. The new tunnel will have one bus lane in each direction, allowing an increase to 37 bus services per hour. All services will also be operated with zero-emission vehicles.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

TfL estimates that improving congestion in and around Blackwall will significantly reduce journey times. Studies predict that, without the Silvertown Tunnel, both traffic and emissions from congestion in the Blackwall Tunnel would increase in the coming years, such that morning rush hour delays in east and south-east London could increase by more than 20% on average. The new infrastructure will help to improve air quality in this area of the city by reducing congestion and increasing the flow of public transport, as well as making connections north and south of the river more resilient.<\/p>\n