The project is the new Elizabeth line station at Whitechapel in London. This station is one of 10 new stations being built for the Crossrail project.
The existing station is an important interchange for both the Hammersmith & City and District lines and London Overground, as well as connecting to the wider transport network in the capital. As well as providing connection to the Elizabeth line, the upgrade works include a spacious new ticket hall and new second entrance to the north, as well as refurbishments of the original entrance. Complex civils works include two new shafts for accessing the tunnels and many platforms at varying depths. The geometry of the surrounding Victorian buildings and railway infrastructure make design of the new permanent works, and construction itself, extremely complex.
Working for contractor BBMV JV, Hewson have completed the detailed design of a steel structural frame which supports a complex glass fibre reinforced concrete (GFRC) cladding arrangement at the top of the escalator ascending from the underground Elizabeth line tunnel. The escalator barrel fans out into the larger concourse surround, providing a dramatic exit for passengers arriving at the station from the new railway. Hewson have also provided temporary works design and access and maintenance procedures for this feature which is one of the key architectural items.
Work first began on site in April 2010. The station is due to open as part of the Elizabeth line in December 2018.
