London has a new major transit artery this morning, although its connections are not quite complete. Three years and change late and a few billion over cost estimates, the ambitious Crossrail project is opening as the Elizabeth Line of the city transit system.
One section runs from Reading and Heathrow Airport in the west to Paddington Station in western London, another from Liverpool Street in the east to Shenfield and Abbey Wood, using upgraded lines that were part of previous rail services. The big project, the central section from Paddington to Liverpool Street is all new construction.
For now, passengers will need to change trains at Paddington or Liverpool Street, but by later this year, all three sections will be fully connected. Fares on the central section will match existing Tube fares, while the outer sections will keep the fare structure of the former rail lines.
