ALPINE BeMo Tunnelling, a subsidiary of the ALPINE Group, was commissioned to construct the Metro stations “Liverpool Station” and “Whitechapel” as part of a consortium. These Metro stations are part of the currently largest infrastructure project in Europe – “Crossrail” – with a total order volume of 17 billion Euro.
The health and safety policy aims at reducing the number of industrial accidents and risks to zero. “Target Zero is more than just a health and safety policy. It’s a state of mind that covers the way we think and the way we work” can be read on the homepage of Crossrail’s principal.
However, special requirements do not only apply to the construction site itself. “London’s Major Boris Johnson, a devoted biker and walker, has a personal interest in improving the situation for cyclists and pedestrians”, says project manager Christian Neumann, “which is why we must avoid accidents caused by cite traffic by all means”. The construction site above ground level will be enclosed so as to confine annoyance caused by noise and dust. This will do justice to the sensitive environment and the neighbours in this densely built-up urban area. This requires special cranes and special concrete mixing plants.
Employees face logistic challenges due to the tight access shafts that supply the entire tunnel site, the critical traffic situation right in the centre of the London City and crowded spaces above the access shafts.
The mining experts face yet another challenge because of the special soil, the “London Clay”. The soft London Clay – that may be likened to a harder kind of cheese – is easily excavated but requires immediate securing with shotcrete. Additional cement injections will prevent settlement of adjoining sensible buildings and movements in the vicinity of a labyrinth made of channels and underground railways.