Ferrovial is proud to announce that the Silvertown Tunnel, a landmark infrastructure project that will significantly enhance transportation in East London, has now officially opened. This achievement, delivered on behalf of Transport for London, underscores Ferrovial’s commitment to delivering innovative and sustainable solutions through its end-to-end model and the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework.
The Transport for London contract for the c.£1 bn project was signed in November 2019 by the Riverlinx consortium, composed of Ferrovial (through its highways division), aberdeen, Invesis, and SK ecoplant, under a PPP contract for the design, construction, financing, and operation and maintenance for a 25-year period.
The joint venture Riverlinx CJV, comprised of Ferrovial (through its Construction division), BAM, and SK ecoplant, has been responsible for the design and construction. The international experience and market-leading expertise of each partner, along with the PPP model and integrated team, enabled the project to be delivered to programme, incorporating pioneering engineering and exceptional quality despite world events such as COVID, BREXIT, hyperinflation, shortage of materials and labor, and the war in Ukraine.
The tunnel will provide a vital new link between the Greenwich Peninsula and the Royal Docks in East London, reducing congestion and improving connectivity for residents and businesses alike.
The success of the Silvertown Tunnel project highlights the advantages of the PPP model, which combines public sector oversight with private sector efficiency and expertise. This collaborative approach ensures that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of quality and safety. Ferrovial’s extensive experience in PPP projects has been instrumental in achieving these outcomes, demonstrating the value of this model in addressing complex infrastructure challenges.
Construction of the Silvertown Tunnel has been marked by numerous innovations and engineering feats, such as employing the largest diameter tunnel boring machine (TBM) ever used in the UK, and world firsts for this sized TBM in terms of the innovative Pressure Ring Launch (PRL) and Floating Rotation (FR) systems. Throughout construction, 1,870,477 tonnes of waste/materials were transported to and from the site via river rather than using roads, equaling 71.4% of the transport, and subsequently preventing 125,000 heavy goods vehicle journeys on one of London’s most polluted and over-capacitated roads during peak times of the day.
Riverlinx achieved a 28% reduction in carbon emissions (11,728tCO2e) by challenging the concept design, removing the secondary tunnel lining, reducing tunnel diameter, and redesigning cross-passage rings.
From these advanced tunnelling techniques to sustainable construction practices, the team has demonstrated exceptional skill and ingenuity in bringing this vision to life.
As the Silvertown Tunnel opens to the public, Ferrovial reaffirms its commitment to enhancing urban mobility and contributing to the development of resilient and sustainable cities. This project is a shining example of what can be achieved through collaboration, innovation, and a steadfast dedication to excellence throughout the lifecycle.
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