A public consultation programme has been launched in London for a proposed $185M extension to the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) that, if approved, would include the construction of a 2.5km long twin bore tunnel under the River Thames.
The proposal is based on a preliminary feasibility and design report prepared by the DLR planning and development team, in collaboration with UK consultant WS Atkins, which was awarded the contract in January this year.
So far, four options for the tunnel route have been scrutinised with option 1 (see diagram) being considered by the DLR as the preferred scheme due to its financial savings, better transport links and more efficient regeneration capacity for the area.
The route would leave the proposed City Airport line (scheduled for completion by 2004) at King George V station, descend into bored tunnels under the Thames and surface at a new DLR station to be constructed by cut and cover under Woolwich New Road.
Although specific design details are as yet unavailable and a thorough geological survey of the alignment is still to be undertaken, it is envisaged that the design and method of construction will be similar to the 2.2km of 5.2m i.d. twin tunnels constructed under the Thames on the DLR Lewisham Link.
The Mitsui/Nishimatsu JV completed excavation of the tunnels in 1998 using a Kværner Markham- built Kawasaki TBM.
The line’s funding is expected to be a concession agreement with the contract being a design-build-maintain award with part funding from public and private sources.
The outline design is expected to be finished by early 2002 when the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, will be asked to give consent to deposit an application under the Transport and Works Act 1992. If approval is given, construction is set to start in mid-2004 for completion in mid-2007.
Related Files
DLR design options
