London Plugs In With High Speed 1

Britain's first high-speed line, High Speed 1 (HS1), has been delivered on-budget and on-time. HS1 was opened in two sections--the longer first section opened in 2004 and connected the Channel Tunnel and Fawkham Junction. The second, newly opened section ends at London St. Pancras. Two new stations have been built between London St. Pancras and the Channel Tunnel--at Ebbsfleet and at Stratford. The latter is expected to play a key role when the 2012 Olympics are held in London. The massive required investment of more than 5 billion pounds sterling is detailed, as are operations of companies such as Eurostar.