Contract is the last major construction contract to be awarded on the project

Crossrail - 'Elizabeth' tunnelling machine

A joint venture between contractors Costain and TSO and rail specialist Alstom Transport has been awarded a £300m contract to do the tunnel fit out of Crossrail.

The firms saw off competition from three consortiums including rival construction firms Bam Nuttal, Balfour Beatty and Kier.

A fourth consortium of Laing O’Rourke and Volker Rail withdrew from the bidding process in May 2012.

The job involves installing track, power, drainage and ventilation systems and is the last major construction contract to be awarded on the project.

The 21km of twin bore tunnel will also require 40km of walkways and fire mains and lighting throughout, which will be installed as part of the job.

Andrew Wolstenholme, chief executive of Crossrail, said: “Tunnel fit-out is one of the largest contracts to be let by Crossrail and will create hundreds of new job opportunities as well as providing a welcome boost to regionally-based manufacturers and suppliers.”