Crossrail nears key decision

Construction News reports that Bechtel and Legacy 3 – a joint venture between Parsons Brinckerhoff, Balfour Beatty and Davis Langdon - have edged ahead of third shortlisted bidder Transcend for the contracts as overall programme partner and project delivery partner overseeing work for £400m of tunnelling work.

Crossrail chief executive Doug Oakervee has postponed the announcement of the winning bidders from mid-February to March.

The programme delivery partner will work alongside Crossrail to manage the overall project – a commission worth £100m and judged likely to go to Bechtel.

But a source close to the project told Construction News that Bechtel could still be in position to win both roles: “ Bechtel are favourites to win the project delivery partner role [ie tunnelling]. They have more experience than any of the Legacy 3 partners in delivering major projects, having delivered the Channel Tunnel Rail Link.”

Further rail infrastructure work in the capital is now in the offing after Mayor Boris Johnson and transport secretary Geoff Hoon greenlighted a £75m extension to the East London Line, connecting Clapham Junction, Peckham and Surrey Quays.

Construction News reports that a tender notice is due appear in the OJEU by the end of 2009, with work dues to start in 2010 and be complete by May 2012. City Hall and Transport for London will contribute £15m to costs, and the government has committed to invest £64m, according to Contract Journal.

Looking even further into the future, Construction News carries a report on London’s proposed “super-hubs” – six suburban areas that will become focal points for transport infrastructure upgrades and private sector development until 2031.

Will McKee, chairman of the Greater London Authority’s Outer London commission said the six hubs could be prioritised for Network Rail and TfL funding. Stratford, Corydon, Brent Cross, Ealing and Heathrow have been ear-marked as super-hubs.