Deep tunnels in granite at 143 m below MSL running beneath Kai Tak airport and Mong Kok. First 3.3 m-diameter and 3.5 km, second at 4.3 m-diameter and 5.5 km out to Stonecutters Island treatment plant. Contracting jv of Kvaerner Cementation and Gammon Construction for Hong Kong Drainage Services Department. Two year duration, $77 million value. March 1998. Cifa reports that it has supplied to the Strategic Sewer Disposal Scheme (SSDS) a 70 m-long collapsible full round formwork composed of 14 telescopic sections, each 5 m long, together with a traveller to transport sections from rear to front for resetting. The formwork will be utilised for both the 3.58 km-long x 2.36 m-diameter transfer tunnel F and the 778 m-long x 2.21 transfer tunnel G from Kwai Chung to Stonecutters Island at a depth below sea level of 130 m. Concreting work is ongoing using 7 cu m agitator cars supplied from a hopper at shaft bottom. More from www.cifa.com May 2000.   Four options under consideration for $2 billion next stage include deep tunnel system between North Point and Central, which may go ahead early using shielded TBMs. Visit www.info.gov.hk/dsd/l/proj 08/01.  The Drainage Services Department (DSD) has invited ten consultants to express interest for the procurement options study for the $26 billion harbour area treatment scheme. They are Babtie Asia; Camp Dresser & McKee International; CH2M Hill (China); Faithful & Gould; Maunsell Consultants Asia; Mott Connell; Mouchel Asia; Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong; Parsons Brinckerhoff Asia; and Scott Wilson. Four options. First is the construction of tunnels along the northern shore of Hong Kong Island from North Point and from Ap Lei Chau via Pok Fu Lam to Central, linking to a new tunnel across the harbour to the existing Stonecutters Island plant. Second is the construction of tunnels from North Point via Central and Ap Lei Chau to a new treatment works at Lamma quarry. Third is a tunnel from North Point via Central to the Stonecutters Island treatment plant and an independent network of pipelines from Ap Lei Chau to a treatment works at Sandy Bay, near Pok Fu Lam, for discharge via a diffuser system. Fourth is a tunnel from Central to a treatment plant at North Point to discharge into the harbour, and a separate pipeline system between Ap Lei Chau and Sandy Bay for treatment and discharge. About four shortlisted firms will be invited to tender by year-end. A successful consultant will be appointed early next year to investigate possible design, build and operate concessions, and prepare schematic designs, costs estimates and an implementation programme for the four alternatives. All studies and trials expected to be completed in 2004. Visit www.info.gov.hk/dsd 49/01.The Drainage Services Department will build three tunnels at a cost of HKD3.91 billion to relieve flooding on Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Preliminary design is under way and tunnel alignments should be decided in mid-2005. First tunnel is Hong Kong west drainage tunnel, 10.3 km in length. Cost estimated at HKD1.8 billion. HKD11.93 million ground investigation by Geotechnics & Concrete Engineering. Visit www.gce.com.hkSecond tunnel is the 5.35 km Tsuen Wan drainage tunnel. Cost estimated at HKD1.06 billion. Third tunnel is the 4.2 km Lai Chi Kok transfer scheme. Cost estimated at the HKD1.05 billion. HKD3.9 million contract for ground investigation surveys by Vibro. Visit www.vibro.com.hkThe bulk of construction will start in 2007. Completion scheduled by 2011. Visit www.dsd.gov.hk 21/04.The four shortlisted engineering consultants to carry out the preliminary detailed design of the first of three drainage tunnels planned by the Drainage Services Department (DSD) are Ove Arup & Partners, Black & Veatch, Maunsell Consultants Asia and Mott Connell. The 10.3 km drainage tunnel is planned for the western side of Hong Kong Island. The DSD plans to award the contract in December. The successful firm will prepare designs for the tunnel that will be about 35% complete. The remaining tunnel design and construction will be left to the successful design and build contractor. As part of the assignment the consultant will be responsible for preparing a shortlist of contractors who will be invited to bid for the design and construct contract. The consultant will also supervise construction which is expected to start in 2007 for completion in 2011. The tunnel, which will vary between 6.25 m and 7.25 m in diameter, will connect Tai Hang with an area near Telegraph Bay on the western side of Hong Kong Island. The scheme also includes adits totalling 7.5 km and 35 intake shafts. The HKD2.17 billion tunnel is the first of four drainage tunnels costing a total of HKD4.22 billion that are intended to relieve flooding on Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon district. The DSD is also preparing a shortlist of consultants who will be invited to tender for the preliminary design of the second scheme, a HKD1.06 billion project for two tunnels in Kowloon. One involves a 3.7 km-long 4.9 m-diameter connection between the west Kowloon reclamation and the Lai Chi Kok and Sham Shui Po districts of Kowloon, while the other involves a 2.8 km, 3 m-diameter transfer tunnel connecting several reservoirs in Kowloon. The Lai Chi Kok tunnel will have 10 shafts, about 350 m of adits and an outfall structure. Read E-News Weekly 35/2004 & 28/2004.Consultants were also asked to apply by 25th October, 2005 to express interest in the third scheme, a HKD900 million, 5.1 km, 6.5 m-diameter drainage tunnel in the Tsuen Wan area of Kowloon. Visit www.dsd.gov.hk and www.cleanharbour.gov.hk 48/05.The Drainage Services Department has awarded a HKD49.8 million consultancy contract to the Metcalf & Eddy / Maunsell joint venture to investigate, design and construct Stage 2A of the sewage conveyance system of the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme (HATS). Upon completion in 2013-14, the HATS Stage 2A sewage conveyance system will improve the water quality in Victoria Harbour. With the system in place, sewage will be conveyed to Stonecutters Island sewage treatment station for chemically enhanced primary treatment and disinfection before discharging. Most of the 20 km-long sewage conveyance system will be designed to be deep underground, some at depths of more than 130 m. Click cn/19. Read more in E-News Weekly 35/2004 & 28/2004. Visit www.dsd.gov.hk/home/index.htm, www.cleanharbour.gov.hk, www.m-e.aecom.com and www.maunsell.com 06/06.Invitation to tender, deadline 29th December, 2006 for design and construction of the Tsuen Wan drainage tunnel (contract DC/2007/12). It includes approximately a 5.1 km-long main drainage tunnel in Tsuen Wan with internal diameter of 6.5 m and associated works which comprise intake/outfall structures, drop shafts, de-aeration chambers, adits connecting the de-aeration chambers to the main tunnel, and slope stabilization works associated with the intake/outfall structures. The works are scheduled to commence in August 2007 for completion in August 2011. Contact Terry Chung, tel. +852 28285858, fax +852 28271823, e-mail terry.chung@mottconnell.com.hk or visit www.dsd.gov.hk/whats_new/current_tenders/index_UID_1129.htm 49/06.Invitation to tender, deadline 22nd December, 2006 for ground investigation works for sewage conveyance system, contract B (DC/2006/20), as part of Stage 2A of the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme (HATS). The works include ground investigation at the Hong Kong Island, the Victoria Harbour, the East Lamma Channel and the Stonecutters Island and laboratory testing of soil and rock samples obtained from the investigation works. The works also include the condition survey of existing structures on the Hong Kong Island and on the Stonecutters Island. The works are scheduled to commence in February 2007 for completion in September 2008. Read E-News Weekly 49/2006, 35/2004 & 28/2004. Contact Freddie Chan, tel. +852 26856418, fax +852 26912649, e-mail freddie.chan@maunsell.aecom.com or visit http://www.dsd.gov.hk/whats_new/current_tenders/index_UID_1133.htm 49/06.Maunsell Consultants Asia is inviting contractors, deadline 22nd June, 2007 to prequalify on behalf of the Drainage Services Department for the design and construction of the Lai Chi Kok water transfer scheme (contract No. DC/2007/16). Work involves the construction of a 3.7 km drainage tunnel under west Kowloon. The tunnel will have an internal diameter of 4.9 m. Work also includes associated structures such as intake structures, drop shafts, 180 m-long adits connecting the drop shafts to the tunnel, a stilling basin, an outfall structure and slope stabilisation works associated with the intake structures. Work is due to start in March 2008 for completion in December 2011. Contact Keith Tsang, tel. +852 26856523, fax +852 26912649, e-mail keith.tsang@maunsell.aecom.com or visit www.dsd.gov.hk/whats_new/current_tenders/index_UID_1173.htm 21/07.The contract for construction of the 10.3 km Hong Kong west drainage tunnel has been awarded on 23rd November, 2007 by the Drainage Services Department (DSD) to a Dragages-Nishimatsu joint venture. The contract value is HKD2.75 billion. The successful tenderer offered the lowest bid. The tunnel will vary in diameter between 6.25 m and 7.25 m and run from Tai Hang to north of Telegraph Bay on the western side of Hong Kong Island. Geology is mainly hard rock. The scheme also includes 2.3 m-diameter adits totalling 7.5 km and 35 intermediate intakes with drop shafts. The diameter of the shafts ranges from 1.2 m to 2.3 m and the depth ranges from 30 m to 190 m. Probably two TBMs (one from each portal) will be used, together with conventional excavator, explosives, etc. The tunnel will be lined. As this is a design and build contract, the detailed design will be submitted by the contractor. The design and construction stage consultant is Arup. Mucking-out will be performed by lorry at the eastern portal and by barge at the western portal. Visit www.dsd.gov.hk/home/index.htm, www.dragageshongkong.com, www.nishimatsu.co.jp/eng and www.arup.com 49/07.The Drainage Services Department has awarded on 4th December, 2007 the construction of the 5 km Tsuen Wan drainage tunnel in Kowloon to a group of companies formed by Maeda Corporation, China Railway Engineering Corporation (CREC) and SELI. The commencement date of the works of the contract will be on 28th December, 2007. The main tunnel is 5.13 km long and 6.5 m internal diameter and there will also be two adits, 45 m and 19 m in length and 4.6 m and 5.5 m internal diameter respectively, three intake structures and two intakes with drop shafts. The diameter of the shafts is 5 m and 5.5 m respectively. The tunnel will be driven mainly in hard rock by a TBM. Visit www.maeda.co.jp/english/outline_e.html, www.crecg.com and www.selitunnel.com or www.selitecnologie.com 52/07-01/08.Invitation for prequalification, deadline 27th June, 2008 for two construction contracts (contracts No. DC/2007/23 and No. DC/2007/24), which form part of the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme (HATS) Stage 2A. The two contracts involve the construction of a total of about 19.5 km of sewage tunnels with excavated spans between 4 metres and 5.5 metres and shafts with various sizes, depths and configurations to provide access for construction, sewage conveyance and connection to the treatment works. The tunnels are to be constructed mainly in granitic and volcanic rock at depths up to 165 metres below sea level using the drill-and-blast method. Construction works are expected to commence in early 2009 for completion by middle of 2013. Tenders for the two contracts will be invited from prequalified applicants in September 2008. Details of the prequalification are available at www.dsd.gov.hk/whats_new/current_tenders/index.htm. Contact Mr. Keith Tsang, Deputy project manager, tel. +852 26856523, fax +852 26912649, e-mail keith.tsang@maunsell.aecom.com 20/08.Invitation for prequalification, deadline 19th September, 2008 for construction contracts No. DC/2007/23 and No. DC/2007/24, which form part of the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme (HATS) Stage 2A. This is a new prequalification invitation, not an extension of deadline of the previous one published in May. The new prequalification invitation has relaxed some of the criteria compared with the previous one. The Drainage Services Department (DSD) hopes to attract more interested contractors. The two contracts involve the construction of a total of about 19.5 km of sewage tunnels with excavated spans between 4 metres and 5.5 metres and shafts with various sizes, depths and configurations to provide access for construction, sewage conveyance and connection to the treatment works. The tunnels are to be constructed mainly in granitic and volcanic rock at depths up to 165 metres below sea level using the drill-and-blast method. Construction works are expected to commence in early 2009 for completion by middle of 2013. Tenders for the two contracts will be invited from prequalified applicants in September 2008. Details of the prequalification are available at www.dsd.gov.hk/whats_new/current_tenders/index.htm. Contact Mr. Keith Tsang, Deputy project manager, tel. +852 26856523, fax +852 26912649, e-mail keith.tsang@maunsell.aecom.com 34-35/08.The Tsuen Wan drainage tunnel is a single drive tunnel 5.1 km long sloping with an average of 0.95%. The tunnel cut diameter is 7.27 m segmentally lined with a minimum operational internal diameterof 6.5 m. The HKD1.123 billion contract is a design and build contract awarded to Maeda Corporation, China Railway Engineering Corporation (CREC) and SELI. The tunnel requires the construction of an intake cascade (Intake I-1), two shaft / chamber / adit complexes (Intakes I-2 and I-3), and a cascade structure (Outfall O-1). The project also includes construction of surface elements such as stream diversions, an outfall cascade, tunnel portal works, access roads and ramps, and slope stabilisation. The tunnel will be excavated dominantly in high-density, extremely strong and abrasive, fresh rocks, including crystal ash tuffs of the Tsuen Wan volcanic group, the Tai Po granodiorite, and a variety of cross-cutting dykes, including basalt, rhyolite, fine-grained granite, and quartz. The very high strength and abrasivity of these rocks, and the presence of zones of blocky and closely-jointed rock, will yield difficult conditions for TBM boreability and mechanical excavation. The tunnel will encounter a number of faults and fault zones (F1 to F6 and P1 to P7), and three contact zones between tuff and granodiorite. Of particular importance is Fault F1 near Intake I-1, which consists of approximately 300 m width of blocky and highly fractured rock, and enclosing a zone of mixed soil and rock approximately 85 m wide. Much of the alignment passes below extensive side-slope terrain flanking the Tai Mo Shan highlands. The weathering profile is typically 15 m thick. The water table lies near rockhead, with locally artesian or depressed conditions, and sudden high-pressure inflows will occur in the absence of effective ground treatment. Pre-excavation grouting will be required over much of the tunnel length to meet the specified groundwater control criteria.TBM and back-up delivery is scheduled for September 2008. The excavation will be performed with SELI's double shield universal (DSU) TBM. The TBM, back-up and rolling stock are designed and manufactured by SELI. The back-up train continuously towed by the TBM comprises a set of rolling decks carrying all the support equipment, among which a dust suppression device fabricated by Flakts for SELI. Click here to know more (in Italian).There will be only one excavation face. Tunnel lining is precast reinforced concrete segments, 250 mm thick with 6.5 m intrados diameter. Annulus gap will be filled with pea-gravel and grouted on a second phase. The mucking system comprises a 5,300 m-long 800 mm-wide continuous belt conveyor designed and manufactured by Marti Technik. The belt will be powered by 420 kW at five driving spots (head drive, three boosters and tail drive) due to the tight curves along the tunnel path. A compact belt storage in front of the portal will provide a belt reserve of 400 metres. A 30 m stacker conveyor will feed a 850 cu m silo. Visit www.selitunnel.com, www.flaktwoods.com and www.martitechnik.ch 36/08.The construction contract for the EUR133 million Lai Chi Kok Transfer Scheme, advertised at tunnelbuilder.com earlier this year, has been awarded to Leighton Asia. The project includes two 4.9 m-diameter storm water drainage tunnels with total length of 3.7 km between West Kowloon reclamation and Lai Chi Kok and Sham Shui Po districts, six intake shafts, a stilling basin, an outfall adit into Victoria Harbour, and 270 m of 3 m-diameter connection adits. Work starts immediately for completion in 2012. Click for full press release. More from Quinnie Lee, tel +852 2823 1427, e-mail quinnie.lee@leightonasia.com 47/08.

Connection from North Lantau to the mainland, 17.5 km-long with 6-8 km of rock tunnels for completion 2007. Preliminary investigation and design by Mott Connell estimated cost at $3 billion. June 1998.

  East-west expressway across Kowloon peninsula will be 3.3 km long with 2.5 km in tunnel, both bored and cut/cover. Invitation to tender early 2002 for completion 2007. Design and construction supervision by Atkins China with Mouchel Asia. Client: Hong Kong Government Highways Department. August 1998.

  18.5 km from Xilang to East Station to be commissioned June, 1999 at final cost of $US1.53 billion. April 1999.   Construction of 21.34 km-long section of Metro Line 2 commenced in July, 1998 for completion 2003 at a cost of $1.2 billion. Undergoing feasibility studies is Suburban LRT Line with a total length of 26 km. Contact Director, Guangzhou Preparatory Office of Underground Railroad, No 204 Huanshi Road, Guangzhou, China 510010. November 1999.   Work commenced on 23.3 km-long Line 2 with 22 stations at projected cost of $1.3 billion. Phase 1 being undertaken by Shanghai Tunnel Shareholding Company involves TBM boring 190 m-long connection under Pearl river from Haihu Square station site for completion in 2002. Project commissioning scheduled for 2004. May 2000. North-south line 2 will use four Herrenknecht EPBs: two newly-manufactured machines Nos 179 and 180, and two 6.55 m-diameter machines Nos 134 and 135. Visit www.herrenknecht.com Sept 2000. First lot of present extension awarded to Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co (STEC) with two TBMs by Mitsubishi/Robbins with STEC, in China. Visit www.robbinstbm.com October 2000. Two new lots awarded this year: north tunnel to Ministry of Railways Tunnel Bureau with two new Herrenknecht TBMs; and south tunnel to Guangzhou Municipal Dunjian Underground Construction Engineering Co.,Ltd who have purchased another two Herrenknecht machines. Each of the four machines will bore approx. 2 km in weathered mudstone/claystone up to 60 Mpa with some clay areas. The machines have VMT guidance and are EPB with hard rock features including cutters, powerful drive, stabilisers and optional semi-open or open mode. Segments are 1.5 m long, 5 + 1 (left and right), outside diameter 6.0 m, inside 5.4 m. The moulds & segment design by Ceresola AG. Visit www.ceresola.com and www.herrenknecht.com October 2000. Subway Corporation of Guangzhou City has submitted feasibility study for a high-capacity, 120 km/h third line to commence construction end-2001. Second 80 km/h line currently under construction at 23.27 km-long will be operational in 2003. Fourth line in preliminary design. Visit www.herrenknecht.de December 2000. Fourth subway planned 17.7 km to Bazhou and fifth from Guangzhou Baiyun Airport 35.3 km to Guangzhou East Railway Station. To date, five stations on the second subway, Jiangxia 23.265 km to Bazhou, have been excavated. Detailed plans for third subway, from Guangzhou East Railway Station 32 km to Panyu District, have been submitted to the State Development Planning Commission. Visit www.xinhua.cn 15/01. Construction of 8.55 km-long experimental section of third metro line, crossing Pearl River twice and with five stations, to start late-2001. 35.75 km-long third line from Guangzhou East Railway Station to Panyu District will be Y-shaped and have 18 stations. Completion is planned for 2007 at $1.92 billion. Visit www.xinhua.cn 24/01.Government approval for line 3 with 18 stations over 35.75 km length. The main line will run from Guangzhou east railway station to the Fanyu Square with 13 stops. Extension line from Tianhe bus stop to East Tianhe Street will have five stops. Construction of 8.5 km-long experimental line to start end-2001. Visit www.xinhua.cn 32/01.

  Impregilo using 4.94 m-diameter NFM double-telescopic hardrock TBM in Shanxi province. Machine manufactured mainly in China, cutterhead at Le Creusot. Delivery July, 1998. March 1998. Wan Long JV reports excellent progress at the Wanjiazhai Yellow River diversion project. The joint venture comprises Impregilo (48%) and Cooperativa Muratori Cementisti Ravenna (42%) with local partner The China Water Conservancy and Hydropower Engineering Bureau No 4 (10%). The project consists of five primary lots. Wan Long JV won contracts for lots II & III in international tender. Lots II & III require 88.9 km of tunnel located 50 to 300 m below the surface. Of this, 1.5 km is being excavated by road header, and the remainder by three double-shield Robbins TBMs and one NFM TBM. Three of the machines were designed and produced specifically for this project. All are erecting honeycomb segment lining. Boring started on 3rd December, 1998 and by the end of March this year, more than 40 km of tunnel (45% of the total) was complete. Overall monthly production reached a new record in January, with the four machines excavating and lining 4,871 m of tunnel. The Robbins TBM working on contracts T4 and T5 has achieved the best figures to date with 99.4 m in one day, 1,822 m in one month, and an average monthly performance of 863 m. Wan Long JV has also produced record numbers of concrete lining segments with a maximum 653 segments manufactured in a single day. Visit www.robbinstbm.com May 2000. Robbins reports that the four 5 m-diameter double shielded machines have recorded 1.826 km excavated and lined in a single month. Visit www.robbinstbm.com Sept 2000.  High-Point Rendel appointed as special advisor for 90 km of the 370 km of tunnels, internal diameters from 4.2 m to 5.4 m, being excavated with TBMs and lined with 25 mm thick hexagonal prefabricated concrete segments by a jv of Impregilo, CMC and the China Water Conservancy and Hydropower Engineering Bureau No. 4. Visit www.hprendel.com 44/01.Alpine Mayreder received a EUR47 million contract to build the 25 km Pinglu tunnel in Shanxi province, to be driven from one side only by a TBM. The 4.8 m-inner diameter tunnel will be lined with precast concrete segments. The tunnel will supply water to the provincial cities of Pinglu, Shuozhou and Datong, located in water-deficient regions. This project will represent a substantial component for the further economic development of the region. The start date of the tunnel drive is middle of June 2006. Construction to end in February 2009. The project is part of the north main line of the Yellow River diversion project. The client is Shanxi Wanjiazhai Yellow River Diversion Corporation, based in Taiyuan. Visit www.alpine.atThe tunnel passes through sedimentary rock, such as sandstone, mudstone, limestone and through coal. The tunnel site is located next to the largest open pit coal mines in China. The overburden is up to 430 m high.A Robbins hard rock double shield TBM will be used. The TBM is provided by the client and was already used at the south main line of the Yellow River diversion project. The segment moulds, used already at the south line, are also provided by the client. New moulds were purchased from Kawasaka Heavy Industries (Shenzhen City). Concrete rings of orthogonal segments. Mucking-out by locos and muck cars. Other underground structures include an underground cavern after 13 km for TBM refurbishment. The dimensions are 35 m x 11 m x 15 m. Visit www.robbinstbm.comThe south main line to Taiyuan was already completed some time ago. It was financed by the World Bank and Alpine Mayreder was involved in Lot I (1997-2001), including in particular two underground pump stations. Lots 2 and 3 were executed by Impregilo, CMC and the China Water Conservancy and Hydropower Engineering Bureau No 4 with four Robbins double shield TBMs. Click cn/15. 13/06.

  New network connecting Futian with Luohu and Xiangmi Lake will cost US$1 billion. Planning complete but funding delayed by high foreign exchange borrowings. Starting construction in October, 1999 for opening in 2003. June 1999. Ground-breaking for planned 14.8 km two-line network took place end-1998. East-West metro Line 1 will link new business district at Futian covering 413 ha to Luohu in the east and Xiangmi Lake in the west. Construction to commence in October, 1999 for 2003 opening. Planning complete, but awaiting financial go-ahead. March 1999. Construction commenced on first phase. Line now 14.3 km-long with 14 stations and to cost $960 million. August 1999. Work expected to get under way within months following lifting of State Planning Committee embargo on new metro construction which was imposed in 1995 to limit demands for foreign exchange. Most contracts must now be awarded to domestic firms and forex component limited to 30%. Sept 1999.  EPB TBMs on 1st phase underway by local contractors on one third of the total 20 km of tunnels. Stations are cut and cover or open cut, and there is also some traditional tunnelling. Systra-Sofretu are supervising engineers for client Shenzhen Metro Company for TBM works. First shield should break out of Yitian station early-June 2001. Visit www.systra.com 12/01.Arup and Beijing Urban Engineering and Research Institute have scooped a 6 billion yuan deal from metro operator MTR Corp. to design and supervise construction of the 16.5 km second phase of Shenzhen's metro line 4. About half of the 16.5 km line will be built in tunnel. The second phase, with nine stations and a depot, runs from Longhua south to Shaoniangong where it connects with the first phase being built by the Shenzhen Metro Corporation. When completed, the 21 km Line 4 will have 14 stations and run between the Huanggang border checkpoint and Longhua. A significant portion of the line will be elevated, with the remainder underground. Visit www.mtr.com.hk and www.arup.com.hk 23/04.Meinhardt has been chosen to carry out the detailed civil, structural, mechanical and electrical design together with geotechnical engineering for the southern section of the USD731 million second stage of Line 4. The contract was awarded by Hong Kong's MTR Corporation which has a 30-year concession to build the second stage and, once completed, operate the line. Meinhardt is responsible for designing the tunnels, which will be built with TBMs and drill and blast, and two underground stations. MTR Corporation is expected to invite design and build tenders next year for the main construction work. Stage two is expected to be completed in 2013. It comprises 16.5 km of double-track railway, most of which will be built underground. It will run from Huanggang, a western boundary crossing between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, to Longhua in the northwestern corner of Shenzhen. Stage one is being built by the Shenzhen Metro Company for completion by the end of 2008. Visit www.meinhardt.com.au 35/05.Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co. (STEC) has won a CNY530 million contract from the Shenzhen metro corporation for the construction of a 4.8 km section of Line 2. About three kilometres of tunnel will be built by tunnel boring machine. Preliminary site clearance has just started on the CNY6.48 billion first phase of Line 2 that will link Shekou on the western side of Shenzhen with the Window on the World theme park where it will connect with the existing metro network. The 13.4 km first phase includes the construction of 11 stations including facilities at Shekou container terminal and passenger port and Nanshan. Read E-News Weekly 36/2007. Visit www.stec.net or www.tunnelling.cn 36/07.China Railway Group Ltd signed a contract worth around CNY9.5 billion with Shenzhen Metro Co. to build Shenzhen's subway line 5. Line 5 will cost nearly CNY20 billion. The construction period for the 42 km subway will be 42 months. The line, consisting of 29 stations, completes a loop of the city's underground traffic with other lines. It has interchanges with lines 1, 2, 3 and 4. Visit www.crec.cn 38/08.

The Shenzhen Municipal Government in China has awarded MTR Consulting (83%) and China Railway Electrification Bureau (EEB – 15%)) the RMY 4.91 billion (US$ 704.10 million) contract for the Shenzhen Metro Line 13 (Line 13) Private-Public Partnership (PPP) project. A subsidiary of Shenzhen Municipal Government will own the balance (2%). The PPP project includes track laying, rolling stock and E&M systems with the signalling system and the automated fare collection system, with a total capital cost of approximately to be financed by both debt and equity. The civil construction of the project is being undertaken by Shenzhen Metro Group Co., Ltd.

The 22.4-km Line 13 includes 16 stations extending from south to north in central Shenzhen. The line is expected to commence service in 2023.  Visit http://www.mtr.com.hk/archive/corporate/en/press_release/PR-20-051-E.pdf . 33/20

The Shenzhen Municipal Government in China has awarded MTR Consulting (83%) and China Railway Electrification Bureau (EEB – 15%) the EUR989.37 million (RMY 4.91 billion) contract for the Shenzhen Metro Line 13 (Line 13) Private-Public Partnership (PPP) project. A subsidiary of Shenzhen Municipal Government will own the balance (2%). The PPP project includes track laying, rolling stock and E&M systems with the signalling system and the automated fare collection system, with a total capital cost of approximately to be financed by both debt and equity. The civil construction of the project is being undertaken by Shenzhen Metro Group Co., Ltd. The 22.4-km Line 13,  will include 16 stations, from ShenzhenBay to Shangwu North, from south to north in central Shenzhen. The line is expected to commence service in 2023. Visit http://www.mtr.com.hk/archive/corporate/en/press_release/PR-20-051-E.pdf.

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Tunnel under Yangtze river to alleviate traffic between downtown area and Pudong financial district. Investment sought on BOT basis. March 1999.  First of seven elements placed on Hangpu riverbed for 736 m-long, eight-lane expressway tunnel with 2.88 km link to 100 km-long outer ring road. Opening end-2002. Visit www.xinhua.cn 37/01.

27 km under construction using FCB and NFM TBMs. 200 km of metro/light rail planned by 2010. Contact Zhu Husheng, Shanghai Metro. April 1998.  Test trains began running on the first section of Line 2 on 21st September, 1999 on the 13.6 km between Pudong terminus at Long Dong Lu and Jing An Temple to the west of the city centre. Fitting out of the remaining 2.8 km to Zhong Shan Park should be completed by end-1999 for a formal opening in July, 2000. Total cost $1.2 billion. Presently undergoing feasibility studies for Shanghai Xin-Min LRT line 1 with length of 13 km. Contact Zhou Xiao, Shanghai Municipality, 7 Qianzhaihutong, Beichang St, Xicheng District, China 100031, tel +86 21 601 2852, fax 309 9772. November 1999.City plans to build 10 km/year of transit railway to 2020 at a projected cost of $85 million/km according to Shanghai Municipal Institute of City Planning & Design. Sept 2000.

Hong Kong - cn/11 Mass Transit Tseung Kwan O Extension Drill/Blast Extensions and diversions for mass transit railway to serve Tseung Kwan O New Town and Yau Tong totalling 12.5 km approved with work commencing December, 1998 for completion December, 2002. Design/construct contract worth £35 million for 6.5 km hard rock section awarded to Kier International Hyundai jv. Tunnel will pass 150 m below Pak Shing Kok and will require waterproofing and concrete lining. Five short lengths of cut and cover where tracks emerge from hillside and pass under roadway. April 1999.   Extension of Kwun Tong line from Quarry Bay to North Point in 2 x 1.75 km tunnels as part of $700 million congestion relief project. Kwun Tong line will also be extended from Lam Tin station to a new station at Yau Tong and on to Tiu Keng Leng. Proposed new Tseung Kwan O line require construction of northern arm to Po Lam via Hang Hau and southern arm to Tseung Kwan O South where a depot and station are planned. Total of 13 civils contracts envisaged and another 21 for M & E. August 1999.   Sandvik Tamrock reports that Nishimatsu Construction is using two of its semi-computerised drillrigs and a number of its Toro LHDs on Contract 680 with spoil being crushed underground by a Nordberg NW80 wheeled crusher. Project has four main components: junction diversion works at Quarry Bay station; extension of North Point station; ventilation shaft and chamber at Fortress Hill Road; hardrock TBM excavation of two 1.9 km-long, 6.2 m-diameter running tunnels. Project on course for completion December, 2001. Visit www.tamrock.com February 2000.  Correspondent reports underground crusher working well, with spoil being sent 70 m to surface using vertical pocket lift conveyor. Visit www.nordberg.com Blasting and mucking out logistics difficult because of proximity to operating railway. Five Atlas Copco 322/5352 drillrigs in use on up to 30 small entries for passenger adits, staircases and emergency exits. Visit www.atlascopco.com Tamrock Maxi and Mini-206 rigs being used to drill large face in underpinning area ready for rock splitting. February 2000.