Crossrail has confirmed that notices have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) inviting expressions of interest for two principal tunnelling contracts - Package C300 for Tunnels West and Package C305 for Tunnels East.

The publication of these OJEU notices marks the beginning of the procurement process for the construction of the new Crossrail tunnels in central London.

Tenders are scheduled to be invited around November with contracts awarded by mid-2010.

The deadline for the receipt of expressions of interest is 28 September 2009.

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Rob Holden, Crossrail's Chief Executive said: "The publication of OJEU notices for construction of the Crossrail tunnels in central London marks another significant milestone for the Crossrail project. The tunnelling contracts are crucial to the completion of Crossrail and will enable 12-carriage trains to travel under central London from Maidenhead and Heathrow in the west to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east.

"Main construction for Crossrail will begin next year with the first of the tunnel boring machines launching in late 2011. We look forward to collaborating with organisations that are as enthusiastic as we are to deliver a world-class affordable railway."

A total of 21km of twin-bore tunnel are required to be constructed for Crossrail. The two OJEU contracts that have been published are for a total of 18km of twin-bore tunnel.

Upon award, the successful contractors will also commence design and construction of a tunnel segment manufacturing facility at a site to be designated by CRL so that there will be a sufficient supply of tunnel segments available upon commencement of tunnelling.

(CD/GK)