A consortium led by Skanska, including Stavby silnic a zeleznic (SSZ), Metrostav and Subterra, has been awarded a contract to build the Prague-Trutnov railway that will link Prague's central station and Masarykovo station with three stations on the other side of Vitkov Hill. The assignment comprises the north and south Vitkov tunnels. The north Vitkov tunnel is 1,316 m long and the south Vitkov tunnel is 1,364.5 m long. They are interconnected with four escape corridors. Bored lengths: 1,151 m for the north bore and 1,250 for the south bore, under 12.5 m-42 m cover. Geology comprising of Skalice quartzite, Sarka slate, Skalecke strata predominently created by foliaceous quartzite and siliceous sandstone, and Quaternary deposits. Drill/blast method to be used in accordance with NATM. Temporary lining with shotcrete, two layers of welded wire fabric, 4 m-long roof bolts, stiffening arches and, in areas of instability, fore piling. The value of the contract for the consortium is CZK7.85 billion, of which Skanska's share is 32%. The client is SZCD, the Railway Infrastructure Administration. Construction work will start in August 2004 and be completed by December 2010. Visit www.skanska.com, www.ssz.cz, www.metrostav.cz and www.subterra.cz 30/04.