Project on Wangchu river will generate 1020 MW and will require 22.25 km x 50 m² headrace tunnel, 2 x 992 m long pressure shafts, 2.2 km x 60 m² tailrace tunnel and underground powerhouse. Mainly Atlas Copco equipment delivered under $8 million package.  Work commenced November, 1998 for completion May, 2004. Larsen & Toubro awarded RS900 million contract November, 1998 to build tunnel for Tala Hydroelectric Project Authority for completion early 2004. February 1999.   Five contract packages numbered C-1 to C-5. C-1 comprises the dam complex and 6 km of headrace tunnel (HRT) awarded to Hindustan Construction Company (HCC); C-2 excavation of HRT from 6 km mark to 11 km mark awarded to Jaiprakash Industries; C-3 excavation of HRT from 11 km mark to 15 km mark awarded to Larsen & Toubro; C-4 excavation of HRT from 15 km mark to 22.9 km mark awarded to HCC; C-5 comprises surge shaft, pressure shafts, powerhouse, and 2.2 km tailrace tunnel awarded to Jaiprakash. Each of the contracts has its own access roads and adits, and the individual sites are self-sufficient. Client THPA has built 80 km of access roads to date and work is proceeding on another 20 km to complete. THPA also procured a starter pack of equipment for each contract during tender phase in order to speed up mobilisation. These were on a cost reimbursement basis and included per contract: an Atlas Copco 352 drillrig; a Boltec 435 H rockbolter; a CIFA CSS 2 Spritzsystem shotcrete jumbo; a CK90E 1.2 cu m electric loader; and two Wagner MT 420 dumptrucks. Contractors have since been adding to the fleet, generally purchasing more of the same models.   To date, HCC has completed the diversion tunnel under C-1 and is proceeding to establish three massive desilting chambers and the first section of HRT. Jaiprakash has not been so fortunate on C-2 where it had to deal with a 15 m-long face collapse when it intersected an aquifer 122 m from the portal in its Pade Chu adit. Currently advancing with caution under the protection of 15 m probeholes. Larsen & Toubro has more than half completed its 975 m-long Gedu Chu access adit under C-3, and HCC has nearly completed its 301 m-long Mirchan Chu access adit on C-4. Jaiprakash is portalling at the surge shaft position on C-5. More information from mdthpa@druknet.net.bt October 1999. Shri R. N. Khazanchi, MD of Tala Hydroelectric Project Authority (THPA) in the Himalayan mountain kingdom of Bhutan, has commented on the widespread damage caused to the project by the unprecedented rainfall in early August. Flooding affected the five worksites strung out along the Wangchu river, washing out access roads and destroying workshops and machinery. Even the main highway from Phuntsholing, along which vital supplies are transported, was cut by landslides in a number of places. Measures have been initiated to minimise the impact on the commissioning schedule of the project, despite the severe losses of infrastructural facilities, construction equipment and civil engineering works. Undaunted, THPA has commenced the construction of two 400 kV double circuit transmission lines for the 1,020 MW project for export of surplus power to India through a proposed substation at Siliguri. The lines will be completed in 3 years time to match the commissioning of the generating units. Within Bhutan they will be installed by Larsen & Toubro, and from the Indo-Bhutan border for 1,500 km to Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh, near Delhi, by Power Grid Corporation of India Limited.  Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk, Minister for Trade, Industry & Power, Royal Government of Bhutan, who is also the chairman of THPA, commended the management and contractors for the speedy restoration of works. More from linkman@druknet.net.bt or mdthpa@druknet.net.bt October 2000.

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.

  6 km-long low pressure headrace with lined inner diameter between 5.8 m and 7 m to external penstock and 177 MW powerhouse on right-hand bank of 103 cu m/sec Reventazon river. Waters from 5.1 cu m/sec Truis and 4.5 cu m/sec Turrialba rivers also feed dam to make mean annual energy of 970 GWh/y available. This is the third, and largest hydro station on the Reventazon river following Rio Macho 120 MW and Cachi 100 MW. Tunnel is being lined by precasting the invert with templates made on site and continuous casting the crown. Contract for telescopic forms for the penstock tunnel was awarded to CIFA Spa of Novate Milanese, Italy in value $1.25 million for eleven 5 m-long sections and self-propelled hydraulic traveller which moves the forms using a central beam. A special injection system allows easy stemming of the contact area. Mobile working platforms can be folded using pneumatic cylinders and can move the whole length of the forms. Visit www.cifa.com for more information. December 1999.

Aktor reports completion of 4 km-long, 120 sq m main tunnel and three smaller tunnels totalling 1 km together with 500 m cut-and-cover and ventilation galleries of 1 km. Tunnels negotiate Mount Olympus region on Thessaloniki-Athens main line. All completed using Tamrock Maxi and Para drillrigs in mainly limestone, schist and some conglomerate. Mass concreting using two CIFA formworks and two of Aktor design. Contact filio@aktor.gr March 2000.

Three consecutive tunnels with total length 6 km under construction in limestone and flysch by jv of C I Sarantopoulos, Athina, Attikat and Terna. Mainly hydraulic face excavator under umbrella drilled using Puntel drillrig, setting single-web steel arches at 1 m intervals. Some drill/blast using Tamrock 205 drillrig, advancing with extreme care beneath medieval castle. Ribbed bar 4 m x 25 mm grouted rockbolts with some micropiles. Normet Spraymec shotcrete jumbo. Final lining installed using Cifa 12 m x 6.18 m radius self-reacting formworks. October 1999.  Excavation complete. Final lining will commence shortly as a separate contract. March 2000.

  Contracting jv of Todini, Sarantopoulos and Odon advancing twin 9 km x 120 m² drives in marl, clays, and sand in presence of water using 12 m umbrella with 4 m overlap. Puntel two-boom drillrig handles umbrella drilling and holes for fibreglass rockbolts in face. $8 million equipment inventory includes two Cifa CSS 2 Spritzsystem and two Normet Spraymec shotcrete jumbos. Four self reacting formworks, one at each heading. Four faces have each advanced 250 m to date. Completion expected 2004. Contact sarant@aias.net.gr for more details. October 1999.Open call for bids, deadline 28th July, 2004 for completion of the Kallidromo tunnel on the Tithorea-Lianokladi section of the Athens-Thessaloniki line. A length of 2 x 6 km remains to be bored. To date, 3 km has been excavated but construction was stopped last year due to geological difficulties. Tender budget: EUR239 million. Visit http://ted.publications.eu.int/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=093335-2004, OJ S 111, or contact Erga Ose, Athens, fax +30 2105283392. E-mail pakoukou@ergose.gr 25/04.Open call for bids, deadline 21st April, 2005 for completion of the Kallidromo tunnel on the Tithorea-Lianokladi section of the Athens-Thessaloniki line. The tunnel has two single track tubes, each approximately 9,260 m long. The Thessaloniki-bound right tube is 9,259.5 long while the Athens-bound left tube is 9,261 m long. The distance between both tubes ranges from 35 m to 65 m. Crosscuts are constructed every 500 m. Each cross section is 8.9 m wide and 9.2 m high. The height over the railtracks is 7.6 m. Every 25 m safety niches will be constructed on either side of the tunnel. Under a previous contract, 5,841.6 m of the tunnel has already been driven, 2,809.54 m of which from the south portal (1,437.99 m in the right tube and 1,371.55 m in the left tube) and 3,032.07 m from the north portal (1,589.68 m in the right tube and 1,442.39 m in the left tube), but construction was stopped in 2003 due to geological difficulties. The total remaining tunnel length to be excavated is approximately 12,230 m long, whereof 6,007.5 m in the right tube and 6,222.5 m in the left one. The remaining tunnel length where the final lining is to be installed is 13,025 m long (6,512.5 m in each tube). Six crosscuts were excavated, three of which from the south drive and three from the north. Cut-and-cover sections already built both at the south and north ends (south drive: 39.04 m in right tube and 37.86 m in left tube / north drive: 100.79 m in right tube and 138.2 m in left tube). To save construction time, the inner lining will be installed concurrently with excavation and support. Spoil removal (by loaders and trucks) and transport of construction materials through the crosscuts. Within the scope of the geological investigations, 14 sample boreholes were drilled and a detailed geological mapping of the project area was performed. The expected geological formations are a mix of clay and marl from km 6+625 to km 7+000 and conglomerate breccia from km 7+000 to km 7+090. The overburden is 150-220 m. To the south, at km 7+090 - 8+385 (right tube) and to the north at km 10+860 - 12+687 (right tube), limestone is expected. The overburden ranges between 160 and 360 m approximately. In the central section, between km 8+385 and 10+860 (right tube), the tunnel runs in a complex consisting of ophiolite layers. Serpentinite (SE) and schist serpentinite (SES) is mainly expected. In this section the overburden ranges from 300 to 530 m approximately. The Kallidromo tunnel will be excavated using the NATM method, according to the approved design. In the tunnel central section, advanced investigative drillings will be performed to identify zones with very low rock mass strength. During construction, the owner will implement an extended monitoring programme together with back analysis, to develop a comprehensive database to correctly select the suitable excavation and support methods. The tunnel will be excavated from four drives, simultaneously from the north and south faces. In the clay, conventional tunnelling in cross section of approximately 130 sq m, with support by means of fibre-reinforced shotcrete, approximately 40 cm thick, wiremesh, self-drilling anchors and fully grouted bolting, and fibre glass nails as temporary support at the face. In the limestone, drill/blast method in one or two phases in cross section of approximately 100 sq m, support by fibre-reinforced shotcrete, approximately 10 cm thick, and fully grouted sporadic bolting. In the serpentinite, drill/blast method or conventional tunnelling in one or two phases in cross section of approximately 110 sq m, with fibre-reinforced shotcrete, approximately 20-30 cm thick, wiremesh, steel arches, self-drilling anchors and fully grouted bolting, and fibre glass nails as temporary support at the face. Final reinforced concrete lining with a 25-60 cm thick metal formwork. Contractors are required to have constructed NATM tunnels (temporary support plus final lining) with minimum length of 2,300 m and cross section larger than 50 sq m. This is a rebid. Tender budget: EUR239 million, of which EUR188.1 million for the tunnel itself. Visit http://ted.publications.eu.int/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=045595-2005, OJ S 47, or contact Erga Ose, Athens, fax +30 2105283392. E-mail pakoukou@ergose.gr 11/05.The lowest bidder for the Kallidromo rail tunnel is J&P Avax with an offer of EUR163,096,891.65 (-31.8% on the total budget). The contract was signed at 24th August, 2005 between ERGOSE and the contractor. Project to start in November. The project is for the completion of a 12.2 km twin tunnel, of which about half has been already excavated in each tube. The excavated cross section will be 100 sq m and the inner cross section 60 sq m. Also construction of crosscuts between both tubes. The project is scheduled to be concluded in 40 months. Click gr/17 for more. Visit www.jp-avax.gr 40/05.Open call for tenders, deadline 6th February, 2006 for construction of the Kallidromo twin bored tunnel (2 x 6 km). This is a re-bid, further to the cancellation of the contract signed in August 2005. Click gr/17 for technical details. Visit http://ted.publications.eu.int/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=241776-2005, OJ S 245, or contact Erga Ose, Athens, fax +30 2105283392. E-mail pakoukou@ergose.gr 04/06.A JV of Aktor, Terna and J&P-Avax won a EUR178.7 million contract to build the Kallidromo twin bored tunnel (2 x 6 km). Click gr/17. Visit www.aktor.gr, www.terna.gr and www.jp-avax.gr 03/07.Open call for tenders, deadline 30th April, 2007 for preparation of tenders for the E&M equipment of the Kallidromo tunnel. Visit http://ted.europa.eu/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=58197-2007, OJ S 47, or contact Erga OSE, Athens, fax +30 3105283392. Click gr/17. 14/07.Erga OSE received a EUR191,200 to prepare the tenders for the E&M equipment of the Kallidromo tunnel. Visit www.ergose.gr 26/08.

Completion of first project on the Nam Theun river, largest tributary of the Mekong river. Located 100 km above the confluence. 210 MW power station and headstocks are above ground. Recchi-CMC, a consortium of Italian construction companies, excavated 5.5 km-long, 45 sq m-section low pressure headrace tunnel between the upper Nam Theun and the lower Nam Hinboun reservoirs where the difference in elevation is 240 m. Tunnel will transfer 110 cu m/sec of water. Three identical 12 m-long self-propelled steel forms with hydraulic winches to enable the equipment to tackle 14 % gradients were supplied by CIFA Spa along with 5 cu m concrete mixers mounted on Astra 4WD dumpers and trailer-mounted concrete pumps. Average 28 m/day of lining completed over five-month period. Visit www.cifa.com for more information. December 1999.CMC signed a EUR180 million construction contract for the Theun Hinboun expansion project. The project is the expansion from 220 to 440 MW of the installed capacity of the existing hydroelectric power plant originally built by Recchi-CMC JV in 1995-1998. The contract has been awarded by Theun Hinboun Power Company Ltd, owner and operator of the existing power plant and co-owned by Electricité du Laos (60%), Statkraft, the Norvegian state-owned utility (20%) and GMS Power of Thailand (20%). CMC is responsible for the design and construction of all civil works included the hydromechanical equipment. Design consultants will be Coyne et Bellier of France and Lombardi of Switzerland. The completion of the works is scheduled after 40 months. Visit www.cmc.coop, www.coyne-et-bellier.fr and www.lombardi.chThe expansion includes a 65 m-high regulating dam, about 20 km upstream of the existing Theun Hinboun weir; a new water intake and a second concrete lined headrace tunnel, 5,500 m long with internal diameter of 6.5 m, running parallel to the existing tunnel; a 1 km steel penstock with diameter ranging from 5.3 to 5.8 m; and a new power station, with one Francis 220 MW turbine. 38/08.Sweco has been contracted to act as the owner's engineer on behalf of Theun Hinboun Power Corporation (THPC) during the implementation of the Theun Hinboun expansion project. The contract, worth over EUR5 million, includes design review, contract management and construction supervision. Expertise to be provided by Sweco includes all traditional hydropower engineering disciplines such as civil and structural engineering, hydrology, geology, geo-technology, dam engineering, mechanical engineering, turbine engineering, electrical engineering including transmission, and distribution. The civil works include construction of a 70 m-high RCC dam, a 6 km-long TBM-driven headrace tunnel, two separate power stations (220 MW and 60 MW) and two separate transmission lines. Click la/11. Visit www.sweco.se 40/08.

Connection between Funcho and Oudelouca dams planned by Instituto da Agua should be awarded late-2000. Traditional excavation with rockbolts and shotcrete for 8.3 km-long, 3 m-diameter tunnel expected to commence February, 2001 at budgeted cost of $20 million. October 1999. Open tendering for 8.15 km-long, 3 m-diameter headrace tunnel, deadline 21st May, 2000. Contact Instituto de Agua, Lisbon fax +351 2184 80825. Note change of area code. April 2000.  Award of design/build contract for 8.1 km-long, 2.3 m-diameter aqueduct to consortium of Spie Batignolles, Rosa Ramalho Cobetar, and Etermar. Visit www.inag.pt 19/01.Spie Batignolles Europe reports completion of tunnelling and good progress with 2.4 m-diameter concrete lining using 3 x 24 m-long CIFA formworks. 8 km-long tunnel was completed in 15 months using a Terratec-refurbished Robbins 3 m-diameter hardrock TBM and Clayton 8t battery locomotives with Valente rolling stock. TBM averaged 27.5 m/day, with best day of 96.8 m and best month of 1,062 m. Heavily folded schistose ground and 258 m-wide fault negotiated with 1.8 m-long Swellex bolts, steel arches and shotcrete applied using Aliva 262 and 246 machines. More from www.spiebatignolles.fr/entreprise/europe.asp 38/03.

Breakthrough of 5.292 km tunnel between Huermeda and Paracuellos and work under way on another 1.82 km drive from Santa Maria de Huerta monastery to Arcos de Jalon. Further extension to connect Alicante and Albacete mooted. Nov 1998. 44 contracts involve 22 tunnels of total length 22 km. Wirth 12.47 m-diameter reaming TBM has completed 2.5 km of 4.78 km Paracuellos tunnel working south to north. Contractors are FCC and Necso for client GIF. More information from jmfdcas@iies.es February 2000. Wirth reaming TBM nearing breakthrough at Paracuellos after 2.8 km drive in which 7 m/day target was often exceeded with maximum advance 22.4 m/day recorded. Roof and sides shotcreted on advance using CIFA track-mounted snorkel mounted close to reamer head. Circular steel arches set 6 m behind face. Aliva wheeled shotcrete jumbo in invert. Large material +20 cm is screened at TBM and trucked away while smaller material is conveyed. Any rock needed for backfilling invert is ploughed of the belt and the remainder is used for embankments or dumped. Concreting underway with gantry erecting welded PVC membrane ahead of concrete forms achieving 170 m/week. For the record, the pilot drive by Murer used their Wirth 4.7 m TBM at 40 m/day in the pre-Cambrian rocks with black schist and graphite covered by quartzite and some sandstone. Visit www.gif.es June 2000. Eighth section of Madrid-Zaragoza stretch under construction by Necso with 1.82 km-long x 137 sq m Sagides tunnel in mixed ground conditions due for completion March, 2001 using drill/blast and roadheader. Visit www.necso.es December 2000.   Open invitation to tender, deadline 19th February, 2001, for two twin tunnels, 1.72 km and 415 m long, in Tarragona on Lerida-Barcelona line. Visit www.gif.es 06/01.   Tenders imminent for construction of $800 million connection to Barcelona on alignment Cornella-Airport-Sants-La Sagrera, requiring three major 11.2 m-diameter EPB bored single tunnels in sands, clay and mud of lengths 4.5 km, 7.3 km and 4 km, with 18 km of cut and cover and three single-track junctions. Awards expected end-2001 for start Spring, 2002 and completion end-2004. Visit www.gif.es 26/01.   Necso appointed to construct subsection VII-B of the Lleida-Barcelona high-speed link between Roda de Barࠡnd El Vendrell for Pta5.95 billion (Euro35.78 million). Two twin tunnels of 1,750 m required. Time frame of 26 months to build full stretch. Visit www.necso.es 41/01.   Call for bids imminent further to government approval of the 2.9 km Sant Lloren砤'Hortons-Sant Esteve Sesrovires section in Barcelona province. The section requires to build four tunnels totalling 2,083 metres. Cost of ?39.5 million. 30/02.   Open call for bids, deadline 19th September, 2002 for construction of the 2.9 km Sant Lloren砤'Hortons-Sant Esteve Sesrovires section in Barcelona. Includes four tunnels totalling 2,083 metres. Tender value ?39.5 million. Visit http://ted.eur-op.eu.int/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=124681-2002, OJ S 156, or contact GIF, Madrid, fax +34 913198535. 34/02.   Open call for bids, deadline 7th October, 2002 for construction of 2.1 km L'Hospitalet-Can Tunis section between Martorell and Barcelona, for access of both Spanish gauge and international gauge trains to the Barcelona harbour and the Can Tunis freight station. Includes a double-track tunnel. Value ?96.5 million. Visit http://ted.eur-op.eu.int/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=124688-2002, OJ S 156, or contact GIF, Madrid, fax +34 913198535. 35/02.   OHL has been awarded the construction of the Sant Lloren砤?Hortons-Sant Esteve Sesrovires section in Barcelona for ?35 million and a time frame of 13 ? months. There will be four tunnel totalling 2,083 metres. Visit www.gif.es 47/02.FCC and Comsa have won the contract for the L?Hospitalet-Can Tunis stretch. A 1,430 m double-track tunnel is required. Contract value ?62 million. 47/02.Open call for bids, deadline 23rd February, 2004 for reinforcement of the Lilla tunnel on section Lleida-Martorell in Catalonia. Budget: 53.9 million euros. Time frame: 10 months. Work will consist in reinforcing the lining and strengthening the invert. Cracks, craters and other abnormalities appeared in the tunnel due to the expansive ground comprising argilite and gypsum-bearing lutite with high contents of anhydrite. Visit http://ted.publications.eu.int/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=004002-2004, OJ S 5, or contact GIF, Madrid, fax +34 913198535. Read E-News Weekly 47/2003 & 11/2003. 03/04.Open call for tenders, deadline 23th February, 2004 for reinforcement of the Camp Magr頡nd Puig Cabrer tunnels on section Lleida-Martorell in Catalonia. Budget: EUR26.2 million. Time frame: seven months. Work will consist in reinforcing the lining and strengthening the invert. Cracks, craters and other abnormalities appeared in the tunnel due to the expansive ground comprising argilite and gypsum-bearing lutite with high contents of anhydrite. Visit http://ted.publications.eu.int/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=006500-2004, OJ S 8, or contact GIF, Madrid, fax +34 913198535. 04/04.Open call for tenders, deadline 4th February, 2004 for work control and management during reinforcement of the Camp Magr頡nd Puig Cabrer tunnels, section Lleida-Martorell of the Madrid-Barcelona high speed link. Budget: EUR1 million. Visit http://ted.publications.eu.int/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=005099-2004, OJ S 6, or contact GIF, Madrid, fax +34 913198535. Read E-News Weekly 47/2003 & 11/2003. 04/04.Open call for bids, deadline 12th March, 2004 for design and work supervision of the high speed rail tunnels in Girona and Sarriଠapproximate lengths of 4 km for the IUC gauge line and 4.8 km for the Spanish gauge line, and the Girona station. Tender budget:EUR8 million. Visit http://ted.publications.eu.int/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=024978-2004, OJ S 28, or contact GIF, Madrid, fax +34 913198535. Read E-News Weekly 9/2002. 09/04.Getinsa and Geocontrol won a EUR632,400 contract for work control and management during reinforcement of the 2,065 m-long 90 sq m Lilla tunnel, the 984 m-long 110 sq m Camp Magre tunnel and the 704 m-long 113 sq m Puig Cabrer tunnel, section Lleida-Martorell of the Madrid-Barcelona high speed link. Visit www.getinsa.es y www.geocontrol.es 16/04.Ferrovial-Agroman has pocketed a EUR41.2 million contract for reinforcement works of the walls and invert of the 2,065 m x 90 sq m Lilla tunnel between Lleida and Barcelona. Visit www.ferrovial.es 17/04.Corsan-Corviam has pocketed a EUR19.7 million contract for reinforcement works of the lining and invert in the 984 m 110 sq m Camp Magre tunnel and the 704 m 113 sq m Puig Cabrer tunnel on section Lleida-Martorell. Visit www.corsan-corviam.es 18/04.Iberinsa and AEPO have secured a EUR4.9 million contract for design and work supervision of the high speed rail tunnels in Girona and Sarria, approximate lengths of 4 km for the IUC gauge line and 4.8 km for the Spanish gauge line, and the Girona station. Visit www.iberinsa.es and www.aepo.es 31-32/04.Typsa has secured a EUR2.9 million contract for the design of the Sant Julia de Ramis-Pontos subsection on the Girona-Figueras section on the high speed line between Barcelona and the French border. This 16 km subsection includes five tunnels for a total length of 8,315 m, whereof two of 2.8 km and one of 1,550 m. Visit www.typsa.es 45/04. Open call for tenders, deadline 23rd february, 2005 for construction of the 4.1 km Sant Joan Despi-Sant Boi de Llobregat section in Barcelona. This section includes a 2,356 m tunnel. Tender estimate: EUR88.3 million. Time frame for construction is 21 months. Visit http://ted.publications.eu.int/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=012024-2005, OJ S 13, or contact Administrador de Infraestructuras Ferroviarias (ADIF), Madrid, fax +34 917005771. 04/05.Open call for tenders, deadline 23rd february, 2005 for construction of the 2.7 km Hospitalet-La Torrassa section in Barcelona. This section includes a 2,163 m tunnel. Tender estimate: EUR122 million. Time frame for construction is 22 months. Visit http://ted.publications.eu.int/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=012033-2005, OJ S 13, or contact Administrador de Infraestructuras Ferroviarias (ADIF), Madrid, fax +34 917005771. 04/05.Open call for tenders, deadline 23rd february, 2005 for construction of the 2.1 km La Torrassa-Sants section in Barcelona. This section includes a 1.8 km tunnel. Tender estimate: EUR106 million. Time frame for construction is 24 months. Visit http://ted.publications.eu.int/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=012027-2005, OJ S 13, or contact Administrador de Infraestructuras Ferroviarias (ADIF), Madrid, fax +34 917005771. 04/05.The ministry of public works awarded the construction contracts for the three most critical high speed rail sections to access to Barcelona, located between Sant Joan Despi and Sants station, worth a total amount of EUR275.7 million. High speed trains will arrive in Sants in April 2007, if the project meets the time frame. Section La Torrassa-Sants, which runs in majority in tunnel, has been awarded to Sacyr, Scrinser and Cavosa for EUR79 million. This 2.1 km section includes a 1.8 km tunnel. The contractors committed to building the section in 23 months and a half, not included the month necessary to sign the contract. Visit www.sacyr.com and www.cavosa.es 15/05.Section Sant Joan Despi-Sant Boi, 4.1 km in length, has been awarded to Necso for EUR66 million and a time frame to complete the job of 19 months. This section includes a 2,356 m tunnel. Visit www.necso.es 15/05.Section L'Hospitalet-La Torrassa, worth EUR92.8 million with a time frame of 20 months, has been awarded to OHL and Agrupacion Guinovart Obras y Servicios Hispania. This 2.7 km section includes a 2,163 m tunnel. Visit www.ohl.es and www.guinoshsa.com 15/05.Open call for bids, deadline 23rd May, 2005 for consulting and assistance for the follow-up, planning management and progress of the Madrid-Saragossa-Barcelona-French border line and coordination of works in Barcelona and its urban area. Visit http://ted.publications.eu.int/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=061900-2005, OJ S 64, or contact ADIF, Madrid, fax +34 917005751. 16/05.Open call for tenders, deadline 28th June, 2005 for consulting and assistance aiming at reinforcing safety during construction of the access tunnels to Sants station in Barcelona and La Roca-Ruidellots section on the Madrid-Saragossa-Barcelona-French border high speed line. The assignment consists in following up the project and proposing improvements to safety measures to avoid any accidents or collapse in the tunnels and their consequences for the construction itself and the neighbouring facilities and buildings, working in coordination with the planning control teams and supporting these teams with regard to tunnelling safety. Visit http://ted.publications.eu.int/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=088720-2005, OJ S 90, or contact ADIF, Madrid, fax +34 917005751. 21/05.Euroconsult secured a EUR534,000 contract for consulting and assistance to reinforce safety during construction of the access tunnels to Sants station in Barcelona and La Roca-Ruidellots section on the Madrid-Saragossa-Barcelona-French border high speed line. Click es/20. Visit www.euroconsult.es 36/05.Open call for tenders, deadline 12th December, 2005 for safety and health coordination during the construction of section Vila Franca del Penedes-Barcelona on the Madrid-Lleida-Barcelona-French border high speed line. Con飴ese a http://ted.publications.eu.int/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=es&docid=217522-2005, DO S 220, o contᣴese con el ADIF, Madrid, fax +34 917005771. 48/05.Open call for tenders, deadline 29th May, 2006 for inspection of buildings near the tunnel works between Sants and La Sagrera in Barcelona, which is the city access of the Madrid-Saragossa-Barcelona-French border line. Visit http://ted.publications.eu.int/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=079310-2006, OJ S 75, or contact ADIF, Madrid, fax +34 917005751. 17/06.Intemac won a EUR1 million contract to inspect buildings near the tunnel works on the Sants-La Sagrera section in Barcelona, which is the central city access of the Madrid-Saragossa-Barcelona-French border line. Visit www.intemac.es 36/06.Open call for tenders, deadline 13th November, 2006 for construction of the Sant Julia de Ramis-Cornella del Terri section on the Madrid-Saragossa-Barcelona-French border high speed line in Girona province. This 3.3 km section includes two mined tunnels: La Garriga, 758 m and Sant Andreu, 649 m. Both tunnels will have a cross section of 110 sq m. Visit http://ted.europa.eu/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=210172-2006, OJ S 198, or contact ADIF, Madrid, fax +34 917005751. 43/06.Open call for tenders, deadline 13th November, 2006 for construction of the Cornella del Terri-Vilademuls section on the Madrid-Saragossa-Barcelona-French border high speed line in Girona province. This 7.1 km section includes two mined tunnels: Llogaia, 1,713 m and Feixes d'en Vidal, 1,372 m. Both tunnels will have a cross section of 90 sq m. Visit http://ted.europa.eu/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=209095-2006, OJ S 197, or contact ADIF, Madrid, fax +34 917005751. 43/06.Open call for tenders, deadline 13th November, 2006 for construction of the Vilademuls-Pontos section on the Madrid-Saragossa-Barcelona-French border high speed line in Girona province. This 5.66 km section includes one mined tunnel in Les Cavorques, 2,939 m and 85 sq m of cross section. Visit http://ted.europa.eu/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=210176-2006, OJ S 198, or contact ADIF, Madrid, fax +34 917005751. 43/06.Open call for tenders, deadline 11th December, 2006 for construction of the Trinidad junction-Montcada section on the Madrid-Saragossa-Barcelona-French border high speed line. The 4.75 km section includes a 3,709 m-long tunnel, whereof 2,900 metres will be bored by an 11,300 mm-outer diameter TBM. The cross section will be 64.77 sq m. Visit http://ted.europa.eu/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=229310-2006, OJ S 208, or contact ADIF, Madrid, fax +34 917005751. 47/06.Open call for tenders, deadline 2nd January, 2007 for work control during construction of the Mollet del Valles-Montomes del Valles y Montomes del Valles-La Roca del Valles sections on the Madrid-Saragossa-Barcelona-French border high speed line. These sections are 3.4 km and 10.2 km long and include five cut-and-cover tunnels of 1,220 m, 616 m, 146 m, 469 m and 658 m. The Barcelona-Port Bou line in Montmelo will also be sunk underground. Visit http://ted.europa.eu/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=230920-2006, OJ S 215, or contact ADIF, Madrid, fax +34 917005751. 47/06.Open call for tenders, deadline 2nd January, 2007 for work control during construction of the Sant Julia de Ramis-Pontos section on the Madrid-Saragossa-Barcelona-French border high speed line. This is the reunion of three sections of 3.3 km, 5.7 km and 5.7 km, including five tunnels of 758 m, 649 m, 1,713 m, 1,372 m and 2,938 m. Visit http://ted.europa.eu/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=230919-2006, OJ S 215, or contact ADIF, Madrid, fax +34 917005751. 47/06.Open call for tenders, deadline 5th February, 2007 for construction of the 10.3 km-long Montornes del Valles-La Roca del Valles section. Construction will take 21 months. This section includes four cut-and-cover tunnels of 616 m, 146 m, 469 m and 658 metres respectively. Visit http://ted.europa.eu/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=4099-2007, OJ S 4, or contact ADIF, Madrid, fax +34 917005751. 03/07.Coprosa secured a EUR46 million contract to build the 3.3 km-long Sant Julia de Ramis-Cornella del Terri section in Girona province. Construction will take 18 months. This section includes the 758 m-long Garriga tunnel and the 649 m-long Sant Andreu tunnel. Visit www.coprosa.es 03/07.A JV formed by Sacyr and its subsidiaries Cavosa and Scrinser signed a EUR93.2 million deal to build the 7.1 km-long Cornella del Terri-Vilademuls section, in Girona province. Construction will take 17.5 months. This section includes the 1,713 m-long Santa Llogaia tunnel and the 1,372 m-long Feixes d'en Vidal tunnel. Visit www.sacyr.com or www.gruposyv.com and www.cavosa.es 03/07. A EUR85.1 million contract has been awarded to a JV of FCC and Servia Canto to build the 5.66 km-long Vilademuls-Pontos section, in Girona province. Construction will take 19.5 months. This section includes the 2,939 m-long Les Cavorques tunnel. Visit www.fcc.es and www.servia-canto.com 03/07.Open call for tenders, deadline 5th February, 2007 for construction of the 3.3 km-long Mollet del Valles-Montornes del Valles section. This section includes a 1,220 m-long cut-and-cover tunnel and an underground station in Montmelo. Visit http://ted.europa.eu/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=5110-2007, OJ S 5, or contact ADIF, Madrid, fax +34 917005751. 04/07.Construction of the 4.75 km Trinidad junction-Montcada i Reixac section on the Madrid-Saragossa-Barcelona-French border high speed line has been commissioned to Corsan-Corviam, Copasa, and Vias y Construcciones. The contract is worth EUR127.6 million. The section includes a 3,709 m-long tunnel, whereof 2,900 metres will be bored by an 11.3 m-diameter TBM. Visit www.corsan-corviam.es, www.copasa.es and www.vias.es 12/07.The contract for construction of the 3.3 km-long Mollet del Valles-Montornes del Valles section has been awarded to a JV of Ferrovial Agromᮠand Compa񭡠de Obras Castillejos for EUR105.5 million and a time frame of 30 months. The most important structure is a 1,220 m-long cut-and-cover tunnel in Montmelo through which the new IUC gauge trains and the existing Spanish gauge trains will run. Visit www.ferrovial.es 15/07.The contract for construction of the 10.3 km-long Montornes del Valles-La Roca del Valles section has been awarded to a JV of Aldesa Construcciones and Construcciones Pai for EUR61.8 million and a time frame of 19 months. This section includes four cut-and-cover tunnels of 616 m, 146 m, 469 m and 658 metres. Visit www.aldesaconstrucciones.es 15/07.Geocisa and Typsa received a EUR2.7 million contract for work supervision during construction of the 17.7 km Mollet del Valles-Montornes del Valles-La Roca del Valles section. Visit www.geocisa.com and www.typsa.es 15/07.Open call for tenders, deadline 7th June, 2007 for inspection of buildings near the tunnels of the Trinidad junction-Montcada section in Barcelona. The 4.75 km section includes a 3,709 m-long tunnel, whereof 2,900 metres will be bored by an 11,300 mm-outer diameter TBM. Visit http://ted.europa.eu/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=98211-2007, OJ S 80, or contact ADIF, Madrid, fax +34 917005751. 19/07.Open call for tenders, deadline 19th July, 2007 for construction of the 7.5 km Borrassa-Figueres section in Girona province, including a 1,750 m tunnel. Visit http://ted.europa.eu/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=139226-2007, OJ S 113, or contact ADIF, Madrid, fax +34 917005751. 25/07.Open call for tenders, deadline 16th August, 2007 for construction of the urban tunnels and first phase of the station in Girona. The 3.6 km section includes two TBM-built tunnels of 1,297 metres and 1,564 metres, featuring an outer diameter of 11.75 metres and cross-section of 69 square metres, named Girona I and Girona II. The 1,564 m-long Girona II tunnel will connect with the next section, the 3,042 m-long Sarria tunnel, so that trains will travel through a 4,606 m-long tunnel altogether. The contract also includes the first phase of the new intermodal station. Visit http://ted.europa.eu/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=161971-2007, OJ S 132, or contact ADIF, Madrid, fax +34 917005751. 29/07.Open call for tenders, deadline 16th August, 2007 for construction of the 5 km Sarria de Ter-Sant Julia de Ramis section, which includes two tunnels to be excavated by traditional method. The first tunnel, the 3,042 m-long Sarria tunnel, will connect to the previous section, the 1,564 m-long Girona II tunnel, so that trains will travel through a 4,606 m-long tunnel altogether. The second tunnel, the Montagut tunnel, is 475 m long. Visit http://ted.europa.eu/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=161950-2007, OJ S 132, or contact ADIF, Madrid, fax +34 917005751. 29/07.Open call for bids, deadline 3rd September, 2007 for construction of the 5.6 km Sants-La Sagrera tunnel section in Barcelona. The first 422 metres and last 395 metres will be built using the cut-and-cover method while 4,823 metres will be driven by TBM. There are also a main shaft at the end of the section, two intermediate shafts for start and exit of the TBM and 12 shafts for emergency exit from the tunnel, five of which will also be used for ventilation and two for groundwater pumping. Read E-News Weekly 26/2007, 18/2007, 27/2006, 5/2006, 8/2004 & 25/2002. Visit http://ted.europa.eu/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=183732-2007, OJ S 148, or contact ADIF, fax +34 917005751. 33/07.Asistencia Tecnica Industrial (Atisae) bagged a EUR390,000 contract to inspect buildings near the tunnels of the Trinidad junction-Montcada section in Barcelona. The 4.75 km section includes a 3,709 m-long tunnel, whereof 2,900 metres will be bored by an 11,300 mm-outer diameter TBM. Visit www.atisae.com 34/07.The bidding process for construction of the high speed railway tunnel in Barcelona between Sants and the future terminal in La Sagrera bordering the Sagrada Familia cathedral, estimated to a maximum of EUR246.2 million, has attracted eight candidates: Sacyr, and its two affiliates Scrinser and Cavosa; Dragados, its affiliate Tecsa, Constructora San Jos頡nd Obras Subterrᮥas; Comsa and Isolux Corsᮻ Construcciones Rubau, OHL and Acsa; FCC and Copisa; V� y Construcciones; Ferrovial Agromᮠand Copcisa; and Acciona. ADIF will award the contract in October. The project is a 5.64 km section between the two stations. The first 422 metres and last 395 metres of the path will be constructed using the cut-and-cover method, whereas the remaining 4.82 km will be bored by a TBM. The project also includes a 240 m-long 40 m-deep concrete wall along the Sagrada Familia to form a protection precinct and avoid that any ground movement generated by tunnelling affect the monument's foundations. These works will be performed before the passage of the TBM. Read E-News Weekly 26/2007, 18/2007, 27/2006, 5/2006, 8/2004 & 25/2002. 40/07.ADIF has delayed to November the contract award, initially scheduled for 26th October, 2007, for construction of the tunnel that will cross Barcelona between Sants and La Sagrera stations. The decision is the consequence of sinkholes affecting the L'Hospitalet-La Torrassa section. Local commuter services on three suburban lines operated by Renfe and one line operated by the Catalan railways have been interrupted since 20th October. A sixth sinkhole, appeared in Bellvitge station on 26th October, has led to halt work on that section. The work stoppage has amplified the controversy that the Sants-La Sagrera tunnel project has triggered in Barcelona because of the fact that its route passes near the Sagrada Familia cathedral. Read E-News Weekly 45/2007.The joint venture formed by Sacyr and its subsidiaries Scrinser and Cavosa is the best placed to pocket the contract, with a 35-month construction time (two years and 11 months). This contract consists in constructing a 5.64 km section that will connect the two stations. The first 422 metres and the last 395 metres of the route will be diaphragm wall supported station boxes, while the remaining 4,823 metres will be built by means of a TBM. The project also includes a main shaft situated at the end of the route, two additional shafts for the entrance and exit of the TBM and 12 shafts for emergency exit, five of which will be used also for ventilation and two for pumping of the groundwater. 44/07.Aldesa Construcciones bagged a EUR82.4 million contract to build the Sarriᠤel Ter-Sant Juliࠤe Ramis section in Girona. This 5 km stretch includes two tunnels to be excavated by traditional method. The first tunnel, the 3,042 m-long Sarria tunnel, will connect to the previous section, the 1,564 m-long Girona II tunnel, so that trains will travel through a 4,606 m-long tunnel altogether. The second tunnel, the Montagut tunnel, is 475 m long. Visit www.aldesaconstrucciones.es 44/07.FCC (40%), Dragados (30%), Copisa (20%) and Tecsa (10%) bagged a EUR278.6 million contract to build the urban tunnels and first phase of the station in Girona. The 3.6 km section includes two TBM-built tunnels named Girona I and Girona II. The 1,564 m-long Girona II tunnel will connect with the next section, the 3,042 m-long Sarria tunnel, so that trains will travel through a 4,606 m-long tunnel altogether. The contract also includes the first phase of the new intermodal station. Visit www.fcc.es, www.dragados.com, www.copisa.com and www.tecsa.es 45/07.A joint venture formed by Sacyr, Cavosa and Scrinser pocketed a EUR77 million contract to construct the 7.5 km Borrassa-Figueres section in Girona province, including a 1,750 m tunnel. Construction will last 20 months. Visit www.gruposyv.com and www.cavosa.es 45/07.On 18th January, ADIF - Spain's administrator of railway infrastructure - has awarded the construction of the Sants-La Sagrera high speed rail section to a joint venture of Sacyr and its affiliates Cavosa and Scrinser, who have been given a EUR179.3 million contract to complete in 35 months a project that will provide the final stage of the rail link between Madrid and the heart of Barcelona, and eventually into France. The project will be co-financed, up to 72.25%, by cohesion funds of the European Union. Diaphragm wall work will be implemented to build the first 422 metres and last 395 metres of the 5.64 km section, while the remaining 4,832 metres will be driven by an 11.4 m excavated diameter earth pressure balance TBM. The machine will be ordered immediately and should be ready in one year from now. Visit www.gruposyv.com and www.cavosa.esThe tunnel will not run anywhere along its path beneath buildings but always under the Mallorca, Diagonal and Proven硠streets. The tunnel will pass near the unfinished Sagrada Familia cathedral but prior to the excavation by a tunnel boring machine, a protective concrete wall formed by 1.5 m-diameter piles dug at a depth of up to 40 metres will be built to create a vibration-insulated system to protect the cathedral's foundations from the tunnelling works. Other preliminary works prior to excavation include the main entry and reception shafts, located at each end of the path, two other shafts for TBM operation, along with 12 shafts for emergency exits from the tunnel, five of which will also be used for ventilation and two for pumping of groundwater. Read E-News Weekly 3/2008, 26/2007, 18/2007, 27/2006, 5/2006, 8/2004 & 25/2002. 04/08.Open call for tenders, deadline 27th March, 2008 for work inspection of the 5 km Sarria de Ter-Sant Julia de Ramis section, which includes the 3,042 m Sarria tunnel and the 475 m Montagut tunnel. Visit http://ted.europa.eu/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=48730-2008, OJ S 35, or contact ADIF, Madrid, fax +34 917005751. 09/08.ADIF commissioned the construction of the Sagrera-Trinidad junction section, divided in two contracts, on the Madrid-Barcelona-French border high speed link. The Sagrera contract has been awarded to CorsᮭCorviam for EUR67.9 million and a time frame of 19 months. The Sant Andreu contract has been awarded to Acciona Infraestructuras and Copcisa for EUR177.4 million and a time frame of 28 months. The two contracts represent a length of 4.24 km, running fully underground in a cut-and-cover tunnel. Visit www.corsan-corviam.es, www.acciona.es and www.copcisa.com 12/08.Open invitation to tender, deadline 3rd June, 2008 for support to the construction management and follow-up of safety measures during construction of the tunnels on the Sants-La Roca del Valles and Riudellots-Figueras sections. These two sections include four TBM-built tunnels to cross Barcelona, Monteada and Girona stretching for a total of 10.6 km, eight tunnels built by conventional methods, stretching for a total of 13.6 km, seven cut-and-cover tunnels stretching for 4.3 km, and four false tunnels stretching for a total of 2.1 km. Visit http://ted.europa.eu/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=104690-2008, OJ S 77, or contact ADIF, Madrid, fax +34 917005751. 18/08.Sener and KV Consultores scooped a EUR2.2 million contract for work inspection of the 5 km Sarria de Ter-Sant Julia de Ramis section, which includes the 3,042 m Sarria tunnel and the 475 m Montagut tunnel. Visit www.sener.es and www.kvconsultores.es 24/08.Geoconsult España won a EUR3.6 million contract for support to the construction management and follow-up of safety measures during construction of the tunnels on the Sants-La Roca del Vallès and Riudellots-Figueras sections. These two sections include four TBM-built tunnels to cross Barcelona, Monteada and Girona stretching for a total of 10.6 km, eight tunnels built by conventional methods, stretching for a total of 13.6 km, seven cut-and-cover tunnels stretching for 4.3 km, and four false tunnels stretching for a total of 2.1 km. Visit www.geoconsult.es 38/08.

Astaldi, in joint venture with Impregilo and Ghella, is to build two new railway lines in Venezuela valuing a total of USD2.2 billion. The two new lines are San Juan de los Morros-Dos Caminos-Calabozo-San Fernando de Apure (252 km) and Chaguaramas-Las Mercedes-Cabruta (201 km). The works are part of intergovernmental agreements between Italy and Venezuela. The joint venture, in which each member holds equal 33.33% stakes, will carry out the works for the two railway sections over the course of 76 months. Start-up is planned for the second quarter of 2006, immediately after the contracts are signed. The project, which is aimed at fostering the development of Venezuela's central and southern area, involves building 453 km of new railway lines, 15 km of which in tunnel and with 12 km of bridges and viaducts. The project also includes designing and installing superstructure, 13 railway stations, three logistic centres, and a maintenance workshop. In addition to the value of the works to build the lines, there will also be USD1 billion in options for designing, supplying and assembling railway systems (signals, control, telecommunications, electrification and rolling stock). Visit www.astaldi.com, www.impregilo.it, www.ghellagroup.com and www.infraestructura.gov.ve 16/06.The joint venture between Astaldi, Ghella and Impregilo has signed its two contracts worth a total of USD2.2 billion with Venezuela's autonomous state railways (IAFE). The signing of the contracts follows intergovernmental agreements reached in April between Italy and Venezuela. The contracts concern the construction of the new San Juan de los Morros-San Fernando de Apure (252 km) and Chaguaramas-Cabruta (201 km) railway lines. These 453 kilometres of new lines involve 15 km of tunnels and 12 km of bridges and viaducts. Visit www.astaldi.com, www.impregilo.it, www.ghellagroup.com and www.infraestructura.gov.ve 25/06.GEI, a consortium formed by Astaldi, Ghella and Impregilo will be responsible for the construction of the 251 km San Juan de los Morros-San Fernando de Apure rail line, whereof 41 km in the mountain and 210 km in plain. The line totals a cost of USD1.6 billion. The contract has been signed and the site is being prepared. It is a design/build contract. At this stage, the project is in the design phase so that many of the technical aspects will have to be defined in the future, once the project is finalised. From the operational point of view, the planning and organisation of the project is underway and soon the sites will be prepared and mobilised.This line has been divided in lots, the construction of which will be undertaken by the contractors who teamed to form the consortium GEI. According to the preliminary project, ten single bored tunnels will be constructed for a total of 16 km. The cross section is 90 sq m. There are no other underground structures (stations, shafts, etc.). Geology consists of metamorphic rock (micaschists).Ghella will build the 6.3 km San Juan tunnel (from chainage 2+300 to chainage 8+600), which is part of subsection D1-G which goes from chainage 0+000 to 11+611, to be also fully built by Ghella. The other tunnels on the line are part of the subsections awarded to Impregilo and Astaldi (see pdf here of how the tunnels are divided and pdf here of the division into lots). Visit www.ghellagroup.com, www.astaldi.com and www.impregilo.itThe planned tunnelling method is to use hydraulic breakers where possible (FIAT Kobelco excavators and Krupp and Indeco hammers) and drilling and blasting with Atlas Copco jumbo drill rigs, Cat and FIAT Kobelco loaders, and Astra trucks. There will be six working faces. Visit www.fiatkobelco.com, www.indeco-breakers.com, www.atlascopco.com, www.cat.com and www.astraspa.comFor support, Swellex bolts, three CIFA shotcrete pumps and three Scamac shotcrete pumps will be used. The shotcrete will be reinforced with Maccaferri fibres. Visit www.swellex.com, www.cifa.com, www.scamac.com and www.maccaferri.comFor mucking-out, 12 Cat 966 loaders, FIAT Kobelco loaders and 24 Astra trucks will be used in addition to Dieci telescopic elevators. Visit www.dieci.com 48/06.