SYSTRA act

Deeply embedded in every aspect of Crossrail, SYSTRA’s role is to ensure every task is carried out to the letter, writes PAUL STEPHEN

How SYSTRA is policing the project to ensure every task is carried out to the letter.

In order to deliver Europe’s largest construction project at a cost of £14.8 billion, it’s no surprise that Crossrail Ltd needed an exhaustive strategy. With a veritable army of designers, contractors and other stakeholders carefully assembled prior to the first spades being plunged into the ground, the importance was paramount in employing an overarching plan to prevent any of these individual components from losing sight of the project’s main aims.

The strategy eventually developed by Crossrail Ltd therefore had several strands. Naturally it featured an outline of the project’s complex delivery programme. But it was a declaration of the company’s vision and values, including a firm and unshakeable commitment to achieving best practice, sustainability and responsible procurement for the duration of the build.

The strategy spelt out not only what would be delivered and by when, but crucially how the project would be delivered, in a manner subscribing to these high standards and strict ethical codes.

To execute this strategy, SYSTRA were part of the team with Bechtel and CH2M, appointed to serve as Crossrail’s Project Delivery Partner (PDP) in 2009.

From before the start of tunnelling in 2012 right through to the commencement of passenger operations in December 2018, the PDP forms a core part of Crossrail Ltd’s integrated management team, overseeing the development of detailed designs, procurement, construction and commissioning.

It is also responsible for managing the consultants and contractors working on all phases of the project, and where Crossrail interfaces with its many external partners and stakeholders, including the likes of Network Rail, London Underground and the National Grid.

I’m in charge of delivering the traction power feeder stations that take power from the National Grid. Xavier de Vimal, Head of Traction Power and OHLE, SYSTRA