The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has appointed AECOM Singapore Pte Ltd and its team of specialist consultants to conduct the Advanced Engineering Study (AES) for the complete design of the High Speed Rail (HSR) infrastructure within Singapore. This includes providing architectural, civil, electrical, mechanical and other design services required for the Jurong East terminus, tunnels, and the bridge across the Straits of Johor. The selected specialist consultants are Farrells and Architects 61 (Architectural), Applied Wayfinding (Branding, Signage & Wayfinding), CPG Consultants (Customs, Quarantines & Immigration Facility), Grant Associates (Landscape), Light Cibles (Lighting), CBRE Pte Ltd (Real Estate & Commercial) and K&C Protective Technologies Pte Ltd (Security & Protection). For further tender on the project click my/21 and sg/28. Visit https://www.lta.gov.sg/apps/news/page.aspx?c=2&id=f64215ff-d341-41d5-bde0-90d0936ab59f . 16/17.

MyHSR Corporation Sdn Bhd (MyHSR) of Malaysia and Land Transport Authority (LTA)of Singapore have awarded the Joint Development Partnership (JDP)contract for the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore HSR project to the consortium comprising WSP Engineering Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Mott MacDonald Malaysia Sdn Bhd and Ernst&Young Advisory Services Sdn Bhd.

The JDP will provide project management support and technical advice on HSR systems and operations. The JDP will also develop the technical and safety standards to be adopted for the project. In addition, it will assist the Joint Project Team (JPT) established between MyHSR and LTA with the preparation of

documents for the forthcoming tenders relating to the joint aspects of the project, such as the appointment of the AssetsCo and OpCo International. For further tenders on the project click my/21 and sg/28. Visit http://www.myhsr.com.my/ and https://www.lta.gov.sg. Tender Ref. HSR1601. 16/17.

http://www.myhsr.com.my/downloads/Joint%20Development%20Partner%20Contract%20Awarded%20for%20Kuala%20Lumpur%20-%20Singapore%20High%20Speed%20Rail%20Project.pdf

https://www.lta.gov.sg/apps/news/page.aspx?c=2&id=bf7d8a1c-c7a9-479a-919c-8ad0ae8c396e

The Consortium led by Sy­tra SA secured the R­DC01 contract for Civil Reference Design Consultant 01 of the HSR infrastructure within Malaysia (International stations at Bandar Malaysia and Iskandar Puteri). Ref. MYHSR/TENDER/002/2016.

Jacobs Engineering Services Sdn Bhd secured the R­DC02 contract for Civil Reference Design Consultant 02 of the HSR infrastructure within Malaysia (Five Domestic stations within Malaysia at Putrajaya, Seremban, Ayer Keroh, Muar, and Batu Pahat). Ref. MYHSR/TENDER/003/2016.

The Consortium led by Systra SA secured the R-DC03 contract to provide civil reference design of the HSR infrastructure within Malaysia (Civil works between Bandar Malaysia Station State border between Selangor and Negeri Sembilan). Ref.MYHSR/TENDER/004/2016.

The Consortium led by Ranhill Consulting Sdn Bhd secured the R­DC04 contract to provide civil reference design of the HSR infrastructure within Malaysia (Civil works from the State border between Selangor and Negeri Sembilan to the State border between Melaka and Johor). Ref.           MYHSR/TENDER/005/2016        .

HSS Integrated Sdn Bhd secured the R­DC05 contract to provide civil reference design of the HSR infrastructure within Malaysia (Civil works from the State border between Melaka and Johor to the northern end of the station entrance at Iskandar Puteri Station). Ref.       MYHSR/TENDER/006/2016.

AECOM Perunding Sdn Bhd secured the R­DC06 contract to provide civil reference design of the HSR infrastructure within Malaysia  (Civil works from Iskandar Puteri Station to the International Border between Malaysia and Singapore, including the crossing). Ref. MYHSR/TENDER/007/2016.

For further tenders on the project click my/21 and sg/28. Visit http://www.myhsr.com.my/. 16/17.

http://www.myhsr.com.my/downloads/Reference%20Design%20Consultant%20Contracts%20Awarded%20for%20Kuala%20Lumpur-Singapore%20High%20Speed%20Rail%20[ENG].pdf

The joint venture between Gamuda and MMC has been awarded the contract to build the 329 km Ipoh-Padang Besar double-tracking project at a fixed cost of MYR12.5 billion. The design phase of the project is worth MYR420 million. The track doubling of the northern portion of the Kuala Lumpur-Thai border line, which forms a key section of the planned Singapore-Kunming rail link, will include the 3.3 km-long Bukit Berapit tunnel, Southeast Asia's longest rail tunnel, in Perak state. The double tracking project is made up of 171 kilometres from Ipoh to Butterworth and another 158 kilometres from Bukit Mertajam to Padang Besar. The scope of works encompasses two new electrified tracks to be constructed away from the existing track, but still within the current reserve of the national railway company KTMB. Only under extreme circumstances will land acquisition be required. Gamuda and MMC will be directly involved in only 20% of the project with the balance to be outsourced to local companies and contractors. A total 330 packages involving the construction of 100 bridges, 30 station buildings, 180 km of culverts and 300 km of drainage works will be awarded to these contractors. Works will start in two to five months after most of the designs are finished. The project will take five years to complete. Read E-News Weekly 24/2006. Visit www.gamuda.com.my and www.mmc.com.my 05/08.

Zecon Engineering received a letter in July 2007 from the Jabatan Bekalan Air Negeri Sembilan, the Department of water supply in Negeri Sembilan state, accepting the company's tender for construction of the Triang transfer tunnel and associated works (package 1, scheme B) for an amount of MYR125 million. The 12.6 km 3.5 m-diameter tunnel will convey water for industrial and domestic use. It will be excavated in granite, using two Wirth open shield TBMs previously used in South Korea. The machines will drive towards each other from the tunnel portals, meeting at about halfway in the tunnel. The tunnel does not require support and lining, except in some fractured zones where bolts will be installed. The supplier of the bolts has yet to be selected. Zecon Engineering will work with the assistance of Korean specialist contractor Ultra Construction & Engineering. SMHB will be responsible for work supervision. The project duration is 36 months from the date of possession of the site which was scheduled on 6th August, 2007. Tunnelling is scheduled to commence in November. Visit www.zecon.com.my, www.wirth-europe.com, www.ultracons.com, www.smhb.com and www.jba.gov.my 36/07.

Second environment impact assessment study on water transfer project from Pahang to Selangor requested by Japan as a prerequisite for a RM3.8 billion loan. The study will take a year. The project would channel raw water from Pahang's rivers, north of Malaysia, for treatment and distribution in Selangor. It would involve the building of two dams in Pahang and a 45 km transfer tunnel under the Titiwangsa mountain range. 17/02.The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) has granted a 82 billion yen (USD757 million) 40-year loan to help fund the Pahang-Selangor raw water transfer project aimed at easing water shortage. The scheme includes a dam and a 45 km transfer tunnel to transport water from Pahang state to central Selangor state and Kuala Lumpur. The loan for the project, approved four years ago, was delayed because Japan wanted to revise the terms, including the size of the loan and the interest rate, and called for an additional environmental assessment report. The project is designed by SMHB and Nippon Koei. Visit www.jbic.go.jp, www.smhb.com and www.n-koei.co.jp/english 15/05.Malaysian engineering consultant KTA Tenaga has teamed up with Japanese firm Tokyo Electric Power Services (Tepsco) to win a contract to provide consultancy services on the Pahang to Selangor raw water transfer project. The scheme, which includes a 45 km-long water transfer tunnel, is being financed through a JPY82.04 billion 40-year loan from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC). Read E-News Weekly 2/2003 & 15/2002. Visit www.ktatenaga.com.my and www.tepsco.co.jp/index_e.html 26/07.Invitation to prequalify, deadline 19th September, 2007 for construction of a 44.6 km-long 5.2 m-diameter raw water transfer tunnel and related works (lot 1-1) of the Pahang-Selangor raw water transfer project. Visit www.ktak.gov.my/template03.asp?tt=Ads&AdsID=14 36/07.Four Japanese companies prequalified for Malaysia's MYR8.9 billion water project between Pahang and Selangor states. There were eight bidders for the 44.6 km water transfer tunnel part of the project, which will eventually cost about MYR3 billion. The prequalification was undertaken by consultants from the ministry for energy, water and communications and project financier, the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC). Initially, there were eight bidders - four Chinese and four Japanese. The four Japanese companies were prequalified while the other four were not. Among the eliminated candidates, a consortium comprised China Railway Engineering Corporation and Malaysian builder Gamuda. The companies shortlisted for the bidding stage are Taisei, Kajima, Obayashi, and Shimizu via a tie-up with local firm UEM Group. Physical work will start in early 2008 with targeted completion by 2013. It will supply 1,867 million cubic metres of water daily to Selangor. Click here. Visit www.ktak.gov.my 50-51/07.

  Halcrow Water Power undertaking detailed design for private developer. Nov 1998.

International invitation to tender, deadline 13th May, 2008 for construction of the Durango-Mazatlí¡n highway from Km 111+000 to Km 156+956. This section includes 28 tunnels and 14 bridges. It will take 1,292 days, which means the section must be completed in 2011. Work is programmed to commence on 26th June. The project is part of the national infrastructure plan to connect the country's Pacific coast to the Gulf of Mexico and also aims to position Mexico as a vital link for Asia-US trade by serving as a competitive option to the Panama Canal. The highway is expected to become Mexico's third most important continental entrance for Asian imports to the US, along with the Manzanillo and Lí¡zaro Cí¡rdenas ports, in western Colima and Michoací¡n states, respectively. The 1,250 km highway runs from Mazatlí¡n municipality in Sinaloa state, eastwards to the Durango state capital of the same name, crossing the Sierra Madre mountain range in western Mexico. Visit http://dof.gob.mx/nota_detalle.php?codigo=5016478 11/08.The Secretariat for communications and transport (SCT) has awarded three civil works contracts to complete the Durango-Mazatlí¡n highway. The three contracts have a value MXP8,721 million and the project has to be completed in early 2012. The highway is one of the biggest and costliest infrastructure project in the country because it crosses the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range, which requires the construction of numerous tunnels and bridges. The Durango-Mazatlí¡n highway will connect the Pacific coast of Mexico with the centre and north of the country and then with the Gulf of Mexico. In all, the highway stretches for 230 kilometres and will have 63 tunnels, 115 structures and the Baluarte bridge, which will cross the Baluarte river at an height of 394 metres. The highway will link the major corridors in the north and centre of the country: Mazatlí¡n-Durango-Torreí³n-Saltillo-Monterrey-Matamoros and Mazatlí¡n-Durango-Zacatecas-San Luis Potosí­-Tampico. Visit www.sct.gob.mxA Mexican-Spanish consortium comprising Mexican firms Omega Corp and Concesiones Aldesem, and Spanish company Aldesa Construcciones won the first, MXP3,971 million contract, which includes the construction of 45.9 km of two-lane highway (12 m wide) from 111+000 to km 156+956 (from Las Adjuntas to Baluarte bridge), including 26 tunnels and 14 bridges. The entire section is situated in Durango state. Omega Corp. will sign the contract on 4th August. Work is scheduled to start on 12th August and is expected to take 3.5 years. Visit www.grupo-omega.com and www.aldesa.es 32-33/08.The second contract, from km 158+080 to km 168+400, has been awarded to a consortium of companies formed by Tradeco Operacií³n Internacional, Tradeco Industrial, Innovaciones Técnicas en Cimentacií³n, Marcadores de Pavimento and Condux. The works included in the contract are as follows: 10.3 kilometres of roadway, 15 tunnels and six bridges. All the works will be located in the state of Sinaloa. The contract is worth MXP2,560 million and has to be completed within 1,098 calendar days. Visit www.tradeco.com.mx 32-33/08.The third contract, from km 168+400 to km 186+300, involves the construction of 17.9 kilometres of road, 16 tunnels and 12 bridges. The contract has been scooped by FCC in joint venture with La Peninsular. The amount of the contract is MXP2,190 million, with a time frame of 1,183 calendar days to finish the job. Visit www.fcc.es 32-33/08.The communication and transport ministry (SCT) awarded this summer three contracts worth a total of MXP8.22 billion to complete the final section of the Durango-Mazatlí¡n highway. The first contract was awarded to a consortium led by Mexican construction firm Omega Corp. with a price tag of MXP3.97 billion. The second contract went to a consortium made up of Spain's FCC and Mexico's La Peninsular for MXP2.19 billion. The remaining contract was awarded to Mexico's Tradeco Industrial for MXP2.06 billion. The first stage of the highway includes a single carriageway, 12 m wide, and the second carriageway will be built in a second phase. The contracts involve only the first stage. Click mx/21.Given the geography of this mountainous area, the highway requires many tunnels and bridges. Altogether, 57 short single-tube tunnels will be built, representing a total length of 18.3 km. The only tunnel to exceed one kilometre in length is El Sinaloense (2,794 m). To see the list of the tunnels in each contract, click here. Once completed, travel time on the highway will drop from six hours to two and a half hours. 41/08.

A consortium set up by Obras Portuarias de Coatzacoalcos (OPC), Matrix, Capsa and FCC is the winner of a EUR155.8 million contract to build, operate and maintain during 30 years a toll tunnel under the Coatzacoalcos river in Veracruz state. The tunnel is 1.6 km long, whereof 700 m will be immersed. It has been designed to carry two dual-lane carriageways. There will be a safety and rescue tunnel between each carriageway.The tunnel will link the Coatzacoalcos urban area with Allende industrial area, where the biggest petroleum industry facilities in Latin America are located. The new tunnel will relieve the existing Coatzacoalcos I steel bridge on the river. This toll bridge was built in 1958, it is congested and can no longer handle the ongoing traffic levels. The new submerged tunnel is the first of its kind in Latin America. The submerged tunnel section will consist of six dual-tube prestressed concrete elements, each 138 m in length, that will be built in a dry casting basin connected to the river by a ship canal through which the elements will subsequently be floated and transported to the tunnel site by towboats. Then, each tunnel element will be lowered to its final place on the previously dredged river bottom. The elements will be joined together under the water using watertight seals. Finally, the building consortium will cover the immersed tunnel in the dredged trench with fill material prior to installing all necessary equipment inside the tunnel. Construction will begin in November. Subscribe to E-News Weekly 11/2004 & 49/2003. Visit www.fcc.es 40/04.

STC plans extension of existing system from 178 km to 483 km by 2020. February 1999.International call for tenders, deadline 4th April, 2008 for preliminary and detailed designs, construction, installations, tests, maiden trips and commissioning of Line 12 of the Mexico City metro between Tlí¡huac and Mixcoac. The fully underground 24.5 km line will serve 22 stations. Bidding rules can be purchased until 25th January. Visit http://compranet.gob.mx or www.consejeria.df.gob.mx/gaceta/pdf/Enero08_%2021_257.pdf (pages 18 to 21) or contact Subdireccií³n de concursos y contratos de la Direccií³n general de obras para el transporte, Avenida Universidad n° 800, Primer piso, Col. Santa Cruz Atoyac, C.P. 03310, Delegacií³n Benito Juí¡rez, Distrito Federal. Tel. +52 56887499, ext. 2292 and 2355. Click here for more. 04/08.Mexican engineering and construction company ICA is teaming up with Mexico's Carso Infraestructura y Construccií³n (Cicsa) and France's Alstom to bid on Line 12. ICA leads the consortium, in which Alstom will be responsible for electrical and mechanical aspects and ICA and Cicsa for construction. Their bid is worth MXP19 billion, of which MXP10 to MXP12 billion for civil engineering. A consortium formed by La Peninsular and FCC offered MXP26 billion. The preferred bidder among these two finalists will be announced on 30th June, 2008. Line 12, which will connect Mixcoac with Tlí¡huac, will run 95% underground and will be constructed using the cut-and-cover method with precast concrete boxes and a cover slab. The option to use a TBM was discarted for being too costly. Construction of Line 12 will commence in mid August or early September and it is estimated to last two years. Click here. 24/08.Mexican public works groups ICA and Cicsa, and French industrial group Alstom's Alstom Mexicana unit, signed a deal on 12th June to build the new Golden Line 12 in Mexico City. The contract is worth MXP17.6 billion. The two Mexican companies will take charge of digging tunnels and infrastructure while Alstom will be in charge of electrical wiring and the electromechanical systems. The project includes the construction of a new 24.4 km line that will link the southeast and the west of the city, from Tlahuac to Mixcoac. The work is set to begin on 3rd July. Construction will take place in two phases. The first, running from Tlahuac to Axomulco, is expected to be put into service by 31st December, 2010. The second, running from Axomulco to Mixcoac, is expected to be put into service by 31st December, 2011. Line 12 will have 23 stations (two terminals, four interchange stations with the existing lines 2, 3, 7 and 8, and 17 other stations). View route map here. Once completed, Line 12 would have a capacity to serve up to 412,000 passengers per day. Visit www.ica.com.mx and www.ccicsa.com.mx 25/08.The engineering institute of the national autonomous university of Mexico (UNAM) will be the adviser to the federal district government during the construction of Line 12 of the Mexico City metro, that goes from Mixcoac to Tlí¡huac. The UNAM will assist the client in the areas of geotechnics, structural engineering and environmental impact. The technical advising consists in reviewing, analysing and evaluating the aspects related to geotechnical and geoseismical engineering associated with the analysis, design and construction of the Golden line. Another task is technical support specialised in structural aspects and finally the investigation, studies and documents related to the environment and environmental impact. Visit www.unam.mxThe construction start of Line 12 of the Mexico City metro has been delayed because the route is being reviewed, archaeological remains have been unearthed in the area of Mexicalzingo and ICA, the construction firm, is determining the size of the tunnel boring machine and the place where it is going to start. At the beginning, the project was announced as a metro that would use the cut-and-cover method but it was modified recently and it was disclosed that part of it would run on elevated viaduct to save money. The Golden line or Line 12 is planned to be finished in 2011 at a cost of MXP17.5 billion. 38/08.A new 10.2 m-diameter Robbins earth pressure balance TBM is planned to tunnel directly underneath urban areas for Mexico City's Line 12. The machine will be the largest diameter TBM ever to bore in Mexico. Robbins signed the contract with the ICA consortium, consisting of ICA, Cicsa and Alstom SA) on 29th July, 2008 for the machine, back-up system and cutting tools. The machine will be designed and built by Robbins in both US and Chinese facilities. Launch of the EPB shield is scheduled for autumn 2009 and the new line should be operational by the end of 2011. The machine will excavate a 6.2 km, 3.85 m-long tunnel between Mexicaltzingo and Mixcoac areas in clay and sand, with boulders predicted up to 800 mm in diameter. A specially designed 1,200 mm-diameter two-stage, ribbon-type screw conveyor will ensure efficient removal of the large boulders. The machine will feature active articulation, which will be utilized for smooth driving around curves, including a tight section with a planned radius of 250 m. The active articulation process will prevent deformation of the segment rings on the curved portions of tunnel. Line 12 of the Mexico City metro is an entirely underground 24 km line with 22 stations in the southern area of the city. Visit www.therobbinscompany.com 42/08.

Cowi has been appointed bridge and tunnel advisor to contractor China Road and Bridge Corporation for the Smokovac-Uvac-Matesevo section of the Bar-Boljare highway project in Montenegro. Bridges and tunnels make up about 60% of the entire 41km route.

Cowi’s scope includes assistance with the advanced geological forecasting of rock mass conditions and interpretation of instrumentation and monitoring, to assist with the design of the primary tunnel lining support, which will be carried out by full time engineering geology staff on site. Click here for further information and me/15 for tunnelbuilder archive. Visit  http://www.cowi.com and http://www.crbc.com. 50/17.

The Bouregreg valley development agency awarded a MAD491 million contract for construction of the 1,022 m-long Oudayas tunnel to Italian companies Pizzarotti and Alpi DE.CO. The CID / Lombardi JV will be responsible for the studies and technical assistance. LPEE has been commissioned with the geotechnical studies and quality control. The Kasbah of the Oudayas is ringed by impressive walls and fabulous gates and encloses a vibrant souk, a small museum of Moroccan art, lovely Andalusian gardens, and Rabat's oldest mosque built in 1150. Currently, 30,000 daily vehicles, whereof 3,500 trucks, cross the Kasbah. The tunnel will be a twin tube tunnel, with two lanes per direction. Construction will last 36 months to end in 2010. Read E-News Weekly 45/2006. Visit www.bouregreg.com, www.pizzarotti.it, www.alpideco.it, www.cid.co.ma, www.lombardi.ch and www.lpee.ma13/07.