What was the UK government's May 2022 estimate to complete the whole Crossrail project, including Network Rail works?
Crossrail built the Elizabeth line railway across London, linking Reading and Heathrow in the west with Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east. The central section opened on 24 May 2022; the final through-service timetable started on 21 May 2023. In May 2022, the UK Department for Transport estimated GBP 18.9 billion to complete the whole Crossrail project, including GBP 3.0 billion of Network Rail surface works. This was an estimate, not a final audited construction bill, and the programme figure excludes separately funded trains and their depot.
Published project estimate
£18.9 billion
Approximately $23.3 billion
Cost basis: 2022
Anthony O'NeilCC BY-SA 2.0
Cost evidence
Basis of the published figure
Published project estimate2022
Project record