Network Rail, on behalf of Crossrail, will build a new single track viaduct for all trains from Heathrow towards London.
Jacob carried out the non signalling design work while SSL is the singalling work designer,
Work is due to complete in 2017. Existing train services to Heathrow will continue to run throughout.
Stockley Interchange will allow Crossrail trains to join the branch to Heathrow without delaying – or being delayed by – fast trains to the west, thus increasing capacity and reliability on the extremely busy Great Western Main Line.
The viaduct will start on the western side of the existing airport lines. It will then cross over all of the tracks in the railway corridor, turning eastwards and will continue on the northern side of the railway tracks.
The viaduct will then widen and a junction for Crossrail and Heathrow Express services will be installed on the track.
This junction will allow Heathrow Express services to cross above the slow lines and descend to main line track as at present.
Timetable for the works
Late March 2012 – Installation of a retaining wall begins
February 2014 – Western flyover completed
December 2014 – Northern viaduct completed
September 2017 – Project completion
Jorge Mendonça, Programme Director for Network Rail, said: “The Stockley Interchange is critical to unlocking the benefits of Crossrail.
“We’ve spent years planning and preparing to reach this point, so today is an important milestone.
“As well as starting the building works, we’re planning the rest of our programme to make sure that passengers and our lineside neighbours notice as little disruption as possible. This represents a very successful start to our delivery of this Crossrail structure.”
Network Rail is responsible for the design, development and delivery of the parts of Crossrail that are on the existing network, covering 43.5 miles of track and 28 stations from Maidenhead in the west to Abbey Wood and Shenfield in the east.