Silvertown Tunnel
East London (connecting Greenwich Peninsula and Silvertown), UK · 2020–2025 (opened April 2025) · £2.2 billion
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchThe tunnel was delivered on time and on budget, a significant achievement for a major infrastructure project in London. - It aims to reduce congestion at the Blackwall Tunnel and improve cross-river connectivity in East London. - The project includes dedicated bus lanes and a cycle shuttle service, promoting sustainable transport. - The tunnel is tolled, a decision aimed at managing demand and funding future transport improvements.
Key engineering challenges
Constructing a new twin-bore road tunnel under the River Thames in a highly urbanized environment. - Minimizing disruption to existing infrastructure and communities during construction. - Integrating the new tunnel with the existing road network and the Blackwall Tunnel. - Managing complex ground conditions and water ingress during tunnelling operations.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- Transport for London (TfL)
- Lead contractor
- Riverlinx CJV (consortium including Ferrovial Construction, BAM Nuttall, and Wayss & Freytag Ingenieurbau)
- Lead designers
- N/A (Integrated design and build within the consortium)
- Project type
- new build
- Scale
- 1.4km (0.87 miles) twin-bore road tunnel; 2 lanes in each direction (one dedicated for buses and HGVs); adds capacity for up to 21 zero-emission buses per hour.
- Disciplines
- civil; structural; geotechnical; tunnelling; mechanical; electrical; environmental; transport planning
- Standards & frameworks
- NEC4; DMRB; CDM Regulations
Sources: Transport for London (TfL) (https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/improvements-and-projects/silvertown-tunnel) - Construction News (https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/long-reads/opening-of-2-2bn-silvertown-tunnel-creates-legacy-for-london-09-04-2025/) - Ferrovial (https://www.ferrovial.com/en/business/projects/silvertown-tunnel/) - New Civil Engineer (https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/from-a-tube-to-a-transport-link-silvertown-tunnels-very-efficient-last-20-months-01-04-2025/)