London Underground marked a major milestone in the £700 million upgrade of Victoria station on September 14, with the breakthrough of the final section of tunnel linking the South ticket hall with the new North ticket hall.
LU engineers tunnelled through the final metre connecting the north and south tunnel scheme with no disruption to services or customers - despite work taking place as close as 30cm to operational platforms. Ground conditions were said to be difficult, with ‘fast moving’ gravels and sand to contend with as well as close proximity to the Victoria, District and Circle lines and two Grade 2 listed theatres.
The North ticket hall is due to open next year, followed by the expanded South ticket hall in 2018. The upgrade will feature nine new escalators, new lifts and step-free access to all platforms.
“This unique and tricky phase of the tunnelling project has stumped people for decades, said LU Capital Programmes Director David Waboso.
“Now, thanks to the hard work and dedication of LU and our supply chain, with some of the best engineers in the business, it has been successfully completed, all while keeping this busy and essential station open to the public.”
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Andrewjgwilt1989 - 24/09/2015 20:23
Both North and South Ticket Halls to be linked as the new link goes beneath the busy roads by Victoria Train Station & Tube Station in Central London and should be fully opened in the near future or next year/2017.
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