Overview

• The Lower Thames Crossing, featuring a 2.6-mile twin tunnel under the River Thames, received formal approval from Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander on March 25, 2025.
• The project aims to nearly double road capacity east of London, diverting 13 million vehicles annually from the heavily congested Dartford Crossing.
• Construction is expected to start in 2026, with the road projected to open in the early 2030s, marking the UK’s largest road infrastructure project in decades.
• Over £1 billion has already been spent on planning and consultations, with private financing and tolls being explored to manage the £9-10 billion budget.
• While the government emphasizes economic growth and low-carbon construction, the project faces criticism from environmental groups and local councils citing potential social and environmental impacts.