Sure, 1,000-ton boring machines and 1,500-foot-long concrete pouring trains are cool. But they're only means. London's Crossrail project---the largest construction project in Europe---is the end.
Part of that end is slated for 2018, when Crossrail's east-west Elizabeth line will connect 10 entirely new stations burrowed up to 130 feet under the ground. This week, the rail company gave its future passengers a preview of what life will look like among the 26 miles of tunnels it's been digging since 2012. London transportation officials expect the Elizabeth line to bring 1.5 million people within a 45 minute commute of central London, and to serve 200 million passengers each year.
The Crossrail project will also connect 30 existing public transit stations via brand new tunnels. Some of these stops will also get large and fancy ticket halls, new elevators, and platform extensions to accommodate Crossrail's bigger and better 650-foot trains.
In case you forget you're in London, each of the stations is inspired by a local British quirk or factoid. The new Paddington Crossrail station draws inspiration from the oldest Paddington station, the one completed in 1854 to receive trains of the steam variety. Farringdon station is a nod to the blacksmiths and goldsmiths that once dominated the area.
As far as navigating the new system goes, London's aiming for "simplicity and clarity," Crossrail wrote in a press release, so that rushed, harried and probably hangry commuters can see where they need to go and then get there. For an estimated $21.4 billion in Crossrail funding, that's not too much to ask.
