Silvertown Tunnel

London, England, UK
Transforming the Lives of East London Communities through sustainable infrastructure investment
12 November 2019 Financial Close
2019 – 2025 Construction Period
25 years Concession Period
2050 Handback

The background

East London, in the UK, has seen significant population growth with little road infrastructure investment over the last 30 years. To address these challenges and to support future demand, Transport for London (TfL) delivered the new Silvertown Tunnel in April 2025. The tunnel connects high‑growth residential areas and alleviates chronic congestion and air quality issues around the 122‑year‑old Blackwall Tunnel.

In 2019, TfL entered into a 30‑year public‑private partnership agreement with the RiverLinx Consortium, which comprises Invesis, Macquarie Capital, Cintra, Aberdeen Standard Investments, and SK E&C. Under this agreement, RiverLinx are responsible for the design, build, finance, and maintenance of the tunnel for 25 years following its opening.

The Silvertown Tunnel is a modern, 1.4‑kilometre, twin‑lane road link beneath the River Thames, connecting North Greenwich and Silvertown. This new crossing improves the reliability and resilience of the wider road network, reducing average journey times for commuters by approximately 20 minutes.

Delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards, the Silvertown Tunnel is a testament to how the private sector can play a pivotal role in providing complex public infrastructure in a sustainable, innovative, and efficient manner.

Client

Transport for London (TfL)

Capital Value

£1bn

Sponsor/Investor

Invesis, Cintra, Macquarie, Aberdeen and SK E&C

Consortium

RiverLinx

Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC)

BAM Nuttall, Wayss & Freytag, Ferrovial Agroman and SK E&C

Operations and Maintenance (O&M)

Riverlinx

Business value

Each member of the RiverLinx consortium brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table, having previously delivered complex financial, design, construction, operations and maintenance works for tunneling projects around the world.

Throughout the lifecycle of the project, Transport for London can expect to work with a consistent team of experts, who are committed to delivering the project on time and on budget. Through collaborative working solutions, RiverLinx will liaise with the client, their development partners and the local community to effectively manage all stakeholder expectations.

Image

Key features

By using the PPP contract approach and partnering with the RiverLinx consortium, the project;  

  • won the Partnerships Bulletin Award for Best Road, Tunnel Project in 2022. The jury described Silvertown Tunnel as ‘… a pioneering project in the United Kingdom with a customised financial plan. We were impressed with the efficiency of the contractual framework between the parties and its social and environmental impact” 
  • SPV developed an extensive Community Engagement Plan, describing how it will keep the local community informed prior to and throughout the works 
  • is expected to increase public transport usage by 30% resulting in less congestion and improved quality of air