Award of $50 million TBM construction contract for twin 1.2 km-long, 10.2 m-diameter tubes to consortium led by Marti AG for completion 2007. Visit www.emsch-berger.ch 23/01.

Open invitation to tender, deadline 8th June, 2001 for construction of 2.1 km-long Muniberg sewer tunnel. Contact Rothpletz, Lienhard, 5001 Aarau. Published in SCJ 26th April, 2001. 21/01.

Construction of 2.29 km-long x 10.2 m-diameter Chienberg underway in swelling Triassic formation of marls and anhydrite by contracting jv of Batigroup, Frutiger and Itin for completion end-2003 at value $100 million. 1.4 km to be bored and 850 m cut-and-cover. Visit www.batigroup.ch December 2000.

Open invitation to tender, deadline 30th November, for 960 m-long, twin-tube Hubit tunnel on T9 main road between Sierre and Leuk in Rhone valley to commence March, 2001. Contact DSF, tel +41 27 6063500. Work proceeding on adjoining 2.8 km Varen and 1.37 km Leuk tunnels. Parallel 4.2 km A9 motorway tunnel on opposite side of river in design. October 2000.Award of $50 million, 960 m-long, twin-tube Hubil road tunnel for proposed $350 million Sierre-Leuk A9 motorway to consortium of Losinger, Evequoz, Deneriaz, Imboden, Theler, Arnold and Zufferey. Sponsored by DSF, tel +41 2760 63500. Visit www.losinger.ch 29/01.  

Second underground station with four tracks to be built beneath central station with 4.8 km-long single-tube tunnel connection to Oerlikon in sedimentary rock and molasse. CFF has set aside $80 million for preparatory work with a view to starting main construction in 2005 for opening 2012. Contact through www.cff.ch November 2000. SFr580 million financing approved by an overwhelming majority (82%) of the Zurich people by referendum on 22nd September, 2001. Construction start delayed to 2006. The project had been earlier approved by the Zurich Canton so that final approval is now pending by the federal government. 42/01.   Preliminary design contract for approximately €1.4 million for two out of four design lots of new 11.8 km railway line, of which more than 50% will be underground through the city centre, awarded to Electrowatt Infra and Basler & Hofmann as part of Rail 2000 programme. Project co-financed by the Swiss Federal Railways and the Canton of Zurich. Visit http://www.bahn2000zh.ch/new.htm, www.poyry.fi and www.ewe.ch 44/01.  A JV between Electrowatt Infra, part of the Jaakko Pöyry Group, and Basler & Hofmann has been commissioned by the Swiss federal railways and the Canton of Zurich to design a new four-track underground station beneath the Zurich main station, a 5 km-long 11 m-diameter double-track railway tunnel, four escape and rescue galleries, and a construction shaft with a diameter of 22 m. The underground station and the tunnel are part of the new centre line between Zurich airport and the main station. The new line will be opened to service by 2012 and the total project cost will be about €1 billion. Visit www.poyry.com, www.ewi.ch and www.bhz.ch 35/03.Electrowatt Infra, which is part of the Jaakko Poyry Group, has been awarded in JV with Basler & Hofmann a tunnel engineering contract by the Swiss Federal Railways and the Canton Zurich. The engineering services will be delivered between September 2005 and July 2013. The value of Electrowatt Infra's contract is EUR8 million. This contract is for section 2 Loewenstrasse station and section 3 Weinberg tunnel and is a continuation to the assignment commenced in 2003. It comprises the design of a new underground station beneath Zurich's main station and a 5 km railway tunnel. The station and tunnel are part of the new circle line, which will link Altstetten in the west of Zurich with Oerlikon in the north and increase the transport capacity of the railway network in the business area of the city. Electrowatt Infra's services include the preparation of tender documents, technical and financial bid evaluation, detail design, supervision, settlement monitoring, quality control and project management. Visit www.ewi.ch, www.poyry.com and www.bhz.ch 43/05.Open call for tenders, deadline 19th January, 2007 for construction of the Weinberg tunnel (lot 3.2) on the Altstetten-Zurich central station-Oerlikon line, section 3. The contract is for the Brunnenhof launch shaft, a 4.5 km 95 sq m twin-track tunnel to be built by means of a TBM in soft rock for most of the length (4.1 km), 100 metres of tunnel using conventional methods, four escape and rescue tunnels totalling 2.4 km, with a section of 21 sq m, to be built also using conventional means, and approx. 115 metres of wide forepoling. Read E-News Weekly 33/2006. Visit http://ted.europa.eu/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=161247-2006, OJ S 149, or contact CFF, Zurich, tel. +41 443871500. 33-34/06.A consortium of Implenia, Wayss & Freytag, Bilfinger Berger and PraderLosinger will build the Weinberg tunnel as well as the underground pathway of the existing station's southern part. Access shafts are also part of the contract, worth CHF350 million. The 4.5 km single bored dual-track Weinberg tunnel will feature a 9.74 m inner diameter and a 10.94 m outer diameter. Other underground structures include a 22 m-diameter 34 m-deep temporary access shaft and a new underpass in the southern part of the railway station. The geology is molasse (marls and sands). The tunnel will be driven using a mixshield TBM and lined by 30 cm-thick precast concrete segments and 30 cm-thick cast-in-place concrete. A conveyor belt is envisaged to evacuate the spoil. Tunnelling is scheduled to commence in September 2008 for breakthrough in 2010. Visit www.implenia.com, www.wf-ingbau.de, www.bilfingerberger.de and www.praderlosinger.ch 49/07.The new Löwenstrasse station will be built by a Marti-led consortium. The station will be 500 m long, whereof 420 metres for the platforms, its inner height will be five metres and its outer height 11 metres. Its width is variable (up to 45 metres). Click here. Visit www.martiag.ch 49/07.

$100 million new line with 14 stations to be built for Vaud Canton between Ouchy in the south and Epalinges in the north will be 6 km long with 1.8 km in single 7.5 m-diameter tunnel excavated by roadheader in molasse and moraine with sprayed concrete support. Restricted invitations to tender closed 7th July, 2000 with a view to starting construction early-2002 for commissioning 2005. Contact Service des Routes, tel +41 213 167069. Alstom will supply $25 million fully-automated, driverless train control system and $50 million 15 two-car, rubber-tyred train sets. Visit www.alstom.com July 2000. The Swiss Confederation is to grant Sfr70 million until 2007 to finance the 6 km extension of Line 2, known as Métro-Ouchy, between the central station and Croisettes in Epalinges in the northeast thus reducing the financial burden of the Vaud Canton to Sfr305 million. At least 70% of the alignment will be underground. There will be 14 stations on an average gradient of 5.7%. The overall budget totals Sfr590 million. Visit http://www.dinf.vd.ch/target/body/gp_transport/doss_avenir/b_dav_metro_ne.html 09/02.Preparatory work has started on Line 2. Contracts 1100 and 1200 will be built by a consortium formed by Deneriaz, Zschokke Locher, Grisoni Zaugg, and Walo Bertschinger. Contract 1100 includes two tunnels (238 m and 246 m), a 28 m-long cut-and-cover stretch and a 77 m-long station. Contract 1200 encompasses two tunnels (306 m and 265 m), two cut-and-cover portions (41 m and 12 m) and one 33 m-long station. Visit www.deneriaz.chContract 1300 has been secured by Losinger and Frutiger. It includes a 136 m tunnel. Contract 1400 goes to Losinger. It requires two tunnels (63 m and 486 m), a 161 m cut-and-cover tunnel and a 33 m-long station. Visit www.losinger.chJPF Construction, Induni, Evequoz and Getra secured contract 1500 which includes a 503 m tunnel, a 69 m cut-and-cover tunnel and a 58 m-long station.Contract 1700 will be constructed by Marti Tunnelbau and Batigroup. It includes a 665 m tunnel, a 41 m cut-and-cover stretch and a 33 m-long station. Visit www.martiag.chContract 1900 includes a 452 m tunnel, a 72 m cut-and-cover portion and a 100 m-long station. It will be built by Infra Tunnel and Bernasconi. Visit www.infratunnel.chContract 2000, awarded to Batigroup, Marti Travaux, Perrin Frères and Bertholet & Mathis, includes a 30 m cut-and-cover stretch. Visit www.batigroup.comContract 2100 has been awarded to JPF Construction and includes a 68 m cut-and-cover portion. Also visit www.t-l.ch 22/04.

  Joint venture of Ilbau, Cogeis and Scheifele taking delivery of 4.5 m-diameter Herrenknecht shielded hardrock TBM for 5.2 km gas pipeline tunnel through marl and disturbed sandstones, siltstones and mudstones erecting six-piece 3.8 m i.d. dowelled and gasketed precast concrete segmental lining in rings 1.5 m-wide and 250 cm thick. Possibility of gas in sedimentary deposits. Boring to commence July on 15-month schedule. Visit www.herrenknecht.com May 2000.5.3 km extension of gas pipeline between Belgium and Italy in Canton Lucerne awarded to jv with Ilbau as technical leader, value $30 million. Rockmore will supply drilling consumables from its Austrian plant. Visit www.strabag.at and www.rockmore-intl.com October 2000. Consortium of Strabag, Cogeis, Specogna and Scheifele using 4.56 m-diameter Herrenknecht hardrock TBM with trunk conveyor belt on 5.2 km segmentally-lined tube at 5 % gradient in Sörenberg mélange, flysch and globigerina marl. TBM, which has automatic power cut-off if gas is detected, launched August, 2000 on ten month run. 2.2 km completed by end-November. Best week 200 m; best day 38 m in 18 h. Unique compact 26 m-high belt storage tower with 300 m capacity. Visit www.strabag.at and www.herrenknecht.de 02/01.4.56 m-diameter Herrenknecht hardrock TBM averaging 18 m/day working 24/7 with 18 h/day operating, peaking at 36 m/day. Around 4 km of 5.2 km drive completed, all at 5% upgrade. Up to 150 m/week being maintained in Sorenberg melange. Lining with rings of six tapered, gasketed segments 1.5 m wide and 250 mm thick, with internal diameter 3.8 m. TBM ahead of schedule, with completion expected May, 2001. Visit www.strabag.com and www.herrenknecht.com 14/01.

Herrenknecht 9.53 m-diameter TBM equipped with two rockbolting drills ordered by Marti AG for 2.5 km drive at Vigier cement plant commencing in Spring, 2000. Details from www.herrenknecht.com April 2000.

Award of 3 km-long tunnel to be constructed by TBM by consortium of Zschokke-Locher/Prader/Murer/CSC/Wayss & Freytag. Visit www.wayss-freytag.de March 2000.   Preconstruction work underway of $60 million, 3.161 km-long x 10.85 m-diameter single tube in molasse and moraine while awaiting delivery of Herrenknecht TBM ex-Thalwil scheduled March, 2001. Completion 2002 for opening of 45 km-long Mattstetten-Rotthrist section end-2004. Visit www.wayssfreytag.de and www.herrenknecht.de December 2000.  The 3,160 m-long Oenzberg tunnel has been holed through on 14th February, 2003 on the Mattstetten-Rothrist section of the Bern-Olten high speed railway in Switzerland. The contracting JV formed by Zschokke-Locher, Prader, Murer, CSC and Wayss & Freytag used a Herrenknecht mixshield TBM equipped with a 12.36 m-diameter cutting head. Tunnelling lasted 17 months. Visit www.herrenknecht.com. Read E-News Weekly # 52. 09/03.

Theiler & Kalbermatten boring 3.5 km pilot using refurbished Robbins TBM. May 1998.3.1 km x 3.5 m-diameter pilot bore due to get underway early-2000 using hardrock TBM in limestone and marls. Contracting jv comprising Batigroup, Frutiger and Infra 2000, value $9 million. Sept 1999. 4 km of single 75 sq m tubes commencing February, 2000 for tunnels de la Perche and du Banne using Tamrock Titan 3-boom Superdrilling jumbo by jv of Rothpletz & Lienhard, Walo Bertschinger, Courbat and Doyon. Second Tamrock machine employed on rockbolting. More from www.ulrich-ammann.ch November 1999.Open call for tenders, deadline 30th September, 2005 for construction of the 2 x 750 m-long 3.6 m-diameter pilot tunnel of the Neu-Bois tunnel on the A16. A TBM will be used to excavate through limestone. Support with welded wire fabric, anchors, steel arches and plates. This ground investigation bore will then be enlarged by a roadheader machine to build the future tunnel. Visit http://ted.publications.eu.int/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=111507-2005, OJ S 112, or contact Republique et Canton du Jura, Delemont, fax +41 324207301. Visit www.a16.ch. Subscribe to E-News Weekly 16/2005, 13/2004 & 35/2002. 25/05.Open call for tenders, deadline 28th October, 2005 for ground exploration gallery for the Choindez tunnel on section 8 of the trans-Jura motorway A16. Length to be built with traditional method is 605 m, section 15.4 sq m. Length to be driven by a TBM is 2,395 m, excavated diameter 3.6 m. Visit http://ted.publications.eu.int/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=132118-2005, OJ S 133, or contact Republique et Canton du Jura, Delemont, fax +41 324207301. 29/05.Open call for bids, deadline 27th June, 2006 for construction of the 2,901 m-long Bure tunnel (contract 2.602) on section 2 Boncourt-Porrentruy west of the A16 highway, cut-and-cover portals (94 m), 10 cross passages, niches, three vertical shafts, a ventilation station, etc. A pilot tunnel has already been bored. Read E-News Weekly 41/2005, 16/2005, 34/2004, 13/2004, 32/2006 & 35/2002. Visit http://ted.publications.eu.int/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=051678-2006, OJ S 49, or contact Republique et Canton du Jura, Delemont. 12/06.PraderLosinger has launched tunnelling of the Choindez ground exploratory tunnel on section 8 of motorway A16. The first 625 metres will be built using a roadheader, cross section of 15.4 sq m, while the remaining 2,400 metres will be dug by means of a TBM, outer diameter of 3.6 m.The works freshly commenced will allow to know more precisely the geological, hydrological and geotechnical nature of the bedrock through which the main tunnel will run in a few years. The exploratory tunnel has a total length of 3,024 metres for a 3.6 m diameter and will be excavated from its north portal towards Vicques until its south portal. This work phase will end in June 2008. The contract amounts to CHF16.5 million. Then, this pilot bore will be used in particular for ventilation and water drainage during construction of the main tunnel. In the end, it will be used as a safety tunnel. The final design of the Choindez main tunnel, to be driven at about 40 metres east and parallel to the exploratory bore, will be finalised by end 2007. The engineering contract has yet to be awarded.The ground investigation tunnel will be bored using traditional means, i.e. a roadheader on the first 625 metres and a 3.6 m-diameter TBM on the remaining 2,400 metres. A separate bidding process to build the main tunnel will be launched in 2008 or early 2009. The tunnel will be a single bored two-way tunnel. The diameter and exact cross section will be defined later. From north to south, the geology will be Alsacian molasse (625 metres) and Jurassic limestone (2,400 metres). Visit www.praderlosinger.ch 44/06.Construction of the 2 x 750 m Neu-Bois exploratory tunnel has been awarded to a JV of Infra Tunnel (leader), Implenia, LGV Impresa Construzioni, G. Comte, Les Fils de Marc Joliat, R. Seuret, S. Facchinetti and G. Chetelat. The contract amounts to CHF56.9 million. Tunnelling will proceed as follows: construction of a pilot bore by means of a 3.6 m-diameter TBM designed to allow for probe drilling during tunnelling; enlargement of each pilot bore to the final cross section using a roadheader; and building of cross passages by drilling and blasting. Visit www.infratunnel.ch, www.implenia.com and www.a16.ch 44/06.PraderLosinger will use a Voest Alpine ATM 50 roadheader for the first 625 metres of the 3.6 m-diameter Choindez ground exploratory tunnel on section 8 of motorway A16 and a Herrenknecht TBM (machine S-96), belonging to the company, for the remaining 2.4 km. For both methods, Belloli anchors and Bruno Fratelli steel arches. Concrete to be supplied by Sabag. Mucking-out by two 7.5 cu m GHH MK-A15 dump trucks at the roadheader section. Mucking-out for the TBM section will be undertaken by a muck train. The process is still under study. Construction of the roadheader section commenced on 1st September, 2006 and will end on 30th June, 2007. The TBM section will start afterwards from 1st July, 2007 to 30th June, 2008. Click ch/30. Visit www.miningandconstruction.sandvik.com, www.herrenknecht.com, www.belloli.ch, www.belloli-italia.com, www.brunofratelli.com, www.matsabag.ch and www.ghh-fahrzeuge.de 46/06.Work at the Graitery tunnel on the N16, between Roches and Court, began on 6th November. The construction contract of the Graitery tunnel has recently been awarded to GTG (Groupement du Tunnel de Graitery), a consortium led by Marti Tunnelbau and including Parietti et Gindrat, Marti Travaux Spéciaux and Pro Routes. This is a 2,462 m-long two-way tunnel. The alignment runs along the pilot tunnel already built, which will serve as escape tunnel when the main tunnel is in service. The 7.5 m-wide roadway is bordered by two pavements. A ventilation duct in the tunnel crown will extract contaminated air, or smokes in case of fire, from a ventilation plant built at the north portal. The tunnel crosses several calcareous and marly layers. The limestone, about 48% of the volume, will be excavated using drilling and blasting, then crushed. It will be reused at different worksites of the N16. The marls will be excavated using a roadheader. They will not be recycled but trucked to the final disposal site in Chaluet. Preliminary works, awarded to local companies, have already been performed at the two portals since fall 2005. Tunnelling itself will commence with the construction of the access trench to the north portal in Moutier. This access trench will be finished in spring 2007. Excavation of the tunnel from Moutier to Court will then commence. Another attack from Court will be started between 2007 and 2008. The tunnel will break through in 2009 and all excavations will be completed in 2010. Concreting inside the tunnel will begin in 2010, then E&M equipment will be installed until end 2012, the expected date for opening of the tunnel. Visit www.a16.ch and www.martiag.ch 50/06.A JV of Marti Tunnelbau, Parietti et Gindrat, and MTS (Marti Travaux Spéciaux) signed a CHF131.2 million contract to build the 3,059 m Bure tunnel (lot 2.602) on the A16, whereof 2,901 metres will be bored and 158 metres will be built in cut-and-cover at the portals. A TBM will be used. From north to south, the geology consists of 15% of limestone (mid Oxfordian) containing astartes and natices, 40% of marls (mid to upper Oxfordian) containing astartes and 45% limestone (upper Oxfordian and Kimmerridgian) containing lower pterocere, cardium and terebratule. Visit www.martiag.ch, www.parietti-gindrat.ch and www.a16.ch 06/07.Open call for tenders, deadline 23rd July, 2007 for geological, geotechnical, hydrogeological and civil engineering consultancy for the Choindez tunnel. Click ch/30. Visit http://ted.europa.eu/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=105868-2007, OJ S 86, or contact République et Canton du Jura, Delémont. 21/07.