19 December 2012 Last updated at 07:12

In pictures: Crossrail progress

London Mayor Boris Johnson and the then Transport Secretary Lord Adonis signalled the start of Crossrail construction on 15 May 2009.

A total of 21km of twin-bored tunnels are needed for the route, which will see eight new stations built in central London and Docklands with almost 120km of track linking Maidenhead and Heathrow with Shenfield and Abbey Wood.

Artist's impression of new Canary Wharf Crossrail station

Canary Wharf will be one of the largest Crossrail stations and has been built in dock water. Construction teams have pumped out almost 100 million litres of water from the site.

Canary Wharf's platform level was completed earlier this year ahead of schedule with tunnelling under way due to break through next year.

Artist's impression of Whitechapel Crossrail station

The new Whitechapel Crossrail station will share facilities, including the concourse, ticket hall and station operations room, with the current underground station.

In January 2011, a fire broke out at a site due to be demolished to make way for the Moorgate entrance of the new Liverpool Street Crossrail station.

Boris Johnson and Justine Greening unveil tunnel boring machine Phyllis

Mr Johnson and the then Transport Secretary Justine Greening unveiled Phyllis in March this year - the first of eight Crossrail Tunnel Boring Machines.

The £16bn project is expected to see its first trains running in 2018, with up to 24 an hour operating in the central section between Paddington and Whitechapel during peak periods.

Skull found at one of the Crossrail excavation sites

Key archaeological discoveries have been made by engineers during Crossrail construction. There are 20 digs along the route which have to be completed as part of planning regulations.

About 250,000 segments will line the walls of the Crossrail tunnels and have been made at the Old Oak Common factory in west London.

Tunnel boring machine Elizabeth lowered into main shaft at Limmo Peninsular

Tunnel Boring Machine Elizabeth was lowered into the main shaft at Limmo Peninsular in October and started drilling at the end of last month.

The Tunnel Boring Machines have to run nearly 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

England

In pictures: Crossrail progress

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