US firm 'set for Crossrail deal'

The scheme will connect Maidenhead in Berkshire to Shenfield, Essex

The main contract for London's �16bn Crossrail project is set to be awarded to a US engineering firm, according to an industry expert.

Alex Hawkes from Construction News told BBC 5 Live that Bechtel will work on the tunnel connecting east London to Heathrow airport.

A Crossrail spokesman said a decision had not been made and insisted most of the jobs would be sourced from the UK.

Crossrail is the UK's biggest transport project since the Channel Tunnel.

Work on the scheme is expected to be completed by 2017.

Whoever gets the contract, most of the jobs will be sourced from the UK. We've made a commitment to that effect

Crossrail spokesman

Mr Hawkes, news editor of the trade publication, said: "Tunnelling in particular is a very specialised piece of engineering. Bechtel are a huge engineering, construction giant. They turned over $27bn in 2007.

"They've worked on the Jubilee line, they delivered the channel tunnel rail link on time - and on budget."

He added: "Whilst it is going to a US bidder, I think people can be reassured that it's going to someone who knows what they are doing."

The �16bn scheme will connect Maidenhead in Berkshire to Shenfield in Essex via the airport and London.

A spokesman for Crossrail insisted that no decision about which firm would get the contract.

"We can't comment on something that hasn't happened. But whoever gets the contract, most of the jobs will be sourced from the UK. We've made a commitment to that effect."