Prequalification bids submitted for 11.9 km first phase of proposed 14.5 km metro from Lapa to Piraja and Pau de Lima on behalf of Companhia Brasilieira de Trens Urbanos. Two underground stations and 1.4 km of tunnel. $15 million World Bank seed funding. Interested groups are Adtranz, Alstom, AnsaldoBreda, Bombardier, CAF, Siemens and T'Trans. Potential operators include RATP, ATM Milano and RENFE. Bidding managed by Secretariat for Investment Promotion and Special Projects. November 1999.   First contracts for the US$307 million project awarded to Siemens and two Brazilian companies, Camargo Correa and Andrade Gutierrez. It is hoped to open the metro in 2003. Funding will be split between the World Bank, which will provide $150 million, the Brazilian federal government $40 million, the state of Bahia and the city of Salvador $67 million, and the private sector $50 million. Suppliers will be responsible for maintenance under a 25-year renewable contract. March 2000.  The design studies of the Line 1 extension to Pau de Lima and Line 2 have been commissioned to Metropolitana Milanese. Financing by the Inter-American Development Bank.The first phase of Line 1 between Lapa and Pirají¡,11.9 km in length, is under construction by Camargo Corríªa and Andrade Gutierrez since April 2000. Completion in 2003. The route runs 1.5 km in tunnel, 4 km elevated and 6.4 km at grade and serves 8 stations, two of which underground in Lapa and Pirají¡. In January 2002, excavation of the tunnel began using NATM, at a depth of 32 metres. Expected daily speed of 2-3 metres and three drives. On 30th April, 2002, work progress had reached 361 metres. Rolling stock supplied by Siemens.The 9.4 km Line 2 will run east to west and link the suburban rail terminal at Calí§ada to the bus station Rodovií¡ria. Visit www.metrodesalvador.com.br and www.metropolitanamilanese.it 24/02.