Crossrail’s tunnel boring machine (TBM) Elizabeth has become the latest to mark a significant breakthrough in the construction of London’s new £14.8 billion railway.
The 1,000-tonne TBM has broken through into the Stepney Green caverns – described by Crossrail as the largest mined caverns in Europe.
Elizabeth and sister borer Victoria are constructing the line’s longest tunnel, stretching 8.3 kilometres from Limmo Peninsula near Canning Town to Farringdon.
Elizabeth’s breakthrough is the first of four due to take place at Stepney Green. It is at Stepney Green that the line divides into its northeast and southeast spurs, taking trains travelling from the route’s western section to either Shenfield or Abbey Wood.
Maintenance work will now be carried out on Elizabeth before she continues her journey westbound towards Whitechapel, Liverpool Street and Farringdon.
