Since January, 2010 MTR Corporation Ltd has awarded three of the nine tunnel civil contracts for the 26 km Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL) project between Hong Kong and mainland China.Leighton Asia secured Contract 822, worth HK$3,235,352,722, for a 7.6 km twin-track tunnel construction, ventilation buildings and a 90 m-deep ventilation shaft in the Tse Uk Tsuen to Shek Yam section. Drill/blast method will be used. Work is scheduled to begin in March, 2010 for completion by 2015, and will be undertaken in cooperation with Macmahon Holdings. Visit www.leightonasia.com. The JV CRCC (China Railway Construction Corporation)/HC/CR15G (China Railway 15 Bureau Group Corporation) secured Contract 826, worth HK$1,690,866,688 for the Huanggang to Mai Po tunnels section. TBM method will be used. Visit www.crcc.cn, www.cr15g.com/En/Index.htm. Penta-Ocean Construction Co Ltd secured Contract 825, worth HK$1,683,621,419, for the 2.19 km twin tube Mai Po to Ngau Tam Mei tunnels section. TBM method will be used. Visit www.penta-ocean.co.jp. The following last six contracts are to be awarded before September, 2011: contract 820, MeiLai Rd to Hoi Ting Rd (TBM); contract 823A, KamTin Tunnels (cut/cover and TBM); contract 821, ShekYam to MeiLai Road (drill/blast); contract 823B, SSS & ERS; contract 824, NgauTamMei to Tai Kong Po (drill/blast) and contract 827, Cross Passage Doors.For more on Hong Kong New Railway Projects, click here and visit www.mtr.com.hk/eng/tenders/can.html. 12/10.