The construction of London’s Crossrail passed a major hurdle in March 2012 with the completion of the first phase of the station at Canary Wharf.

The below-ground concrete box measuring 275 yards long by 32 yards wide has been constructed in the former West India Dock which had to be emptied of 100 million litres of water

The box was completed five months ahead of schedule after three years of work, during which 300,000 tonnes of material was excavated and removed by barge for environmental restoration projects at Pitsea, Essex, and Hoo, Kent.

It is now ready for the tunnel boring machines to arrive.

Once the tunnelling machines have passed through Canary Wharf, the station will be fitted out in 2015, ready for the line’s opening three years later.

The building will include shops and a rooftop park.

Canary Wharf station will cost £500 million, with the Canary Wharf Group contributing £150 million of it.

More information: Crossrail