An Ineco delegation attended the inauguration
The Silvertown Tunnel was opened on Thursday and London now has this key infrastructure for improving sustainable mobility in the east of the city. Ineco has been involved in the project as an independent certifier since 2020, contributing its extensive experience in the supervision of highly complex tunnels.
Promoted by Transport for London (TfL), it is 1.4 kilometres long and crosses under the River Thames, with more than 600 metres of additional access ramps. Silvertown is set to relieve congestion at the historic Blackwall tunnel, which has been in service for more than 120 years and has serious gauge limitations. This new tunnel will enable a six-fold increase in bus capacity in the area, significantly improving urban connectivity and the sustainability of public transport in the British capital.
As an independent certifier, Ineco has been responsible for monitoring compliance with the requirements set out in the contract between TfL and the RiverLinx construction consortium. In addition, it has issued the Permit to Use Certificate, a document certifying that the tunnel has been built in accordance with the required technical, contractual and safety standards.
Engineering deployment
The project has required complex engineering. One of its most important milestones has been the design and execution of a large attack shaft, with a unique peanut-shaped plant, from which the tunnel boring machine "Jill", with a diameter of 12 metres, was launched.
In addition to the main tunnel, the project includes a maintenance building, connecting roads, a road bridge and a pedestrian footbridge, fully integrating into the existing road network and providing modern and efficient solutions to urban mobility needs.
