Early preparatory works have officially begun across parts of Kent and Essex in preparation for the £10 billion Lower Thames Crossing - described by National Highways as the most significant road project in a generation. The project will create the UK's longest road tunnel, a twin-bore 2.6-mile passage beneath the River Thames connecting Kent to Essex, as part of a 14.5-mile new road linking the A2 / M2 in the South to the A13 & M25 in the North. Around 50 archaeologists are currently excavating at Coalhouse Fort in East Tilbury, recording and recovering finds before major works begin.
Alongside the heritage investigations, engineers are carrying out ground investigations to map soil, rock, and groundwater conditions to inform foundation and tunnel design. Utility protection and diversions are also underway to safeguard gas, water, electricity, and telecoms supplies along the route. This Spring, an area of scrubland near Coalhouse Point larger than 30 football pitches will be transformed into a wetland habitat - part of a plan to create around 1,000 hectares of new natural habitat ahead of main construction, so that ecosystems have time to establish before heavier works commence.
The project has been broken into three main contracts: Balfour Beatty delivering the northern roads, Skanska handling Kent roads in the South, and Bouygues-Murphy JV responsible for the tunnel and approaches. Major tunnelling is scheduled to begin in 2028, with the crossing expected to open in the early to mid-2030s. National highways confirmed the project is on track to be Britain's greenest road, and Skills Hubs are being established in Gravesham and Thurrock to training local residents for the thousands of jobs the project will create.