Public consultation for a 2,215 m extension to commence late-1999 for commissioning in 2003. Three stations and 900 m cut-and-cover. Metro Line B preliminary studies completed and tenders in for design and planning of 13km of TBM tunnels and 2.6km cut-and-cover with 20 stations. Invited bids for February 1999. December 1998.   State approval granted for 2.5 km extension of line A between Jolimont and Balma commencing construction mid-2000. Commission of enquiry for line B proposal for 15 km tunnel with 20 stations should result in invitations to tender being issued later this year for a start in 2001. January 2000. Toulouse Metro Company SMAT has signed a $55 million contract with Matra Transport International for the 2.5 km extension of Line A. Work should get underway at the end of this year with a view to commissioning in June, 2004. April 2000. Restricted tendering for two contracts to construct line B starting 2001, with 12.7 km of bored tunnel and 18 stations, deadline 26th May, 2000. One tender is for packages 2, 4, and 5, the other for package 3. Package 2 is for 4.7 km-long x 6.8 m-diameter tunnel with seven stations enclosed by diaphragm walls plus six 6 m-diameter shafts; package 4 is for 3.8 km of tunnel with five stations and three shafts; package 5 is for 3.2 km of tunnel with five stations and four shafts; and package 3 is for 1 km of tunnel bored at 4.66 m-diameter with two shafts and some traditional tunnelling work. Longest duration is package 3 which puts completion at 2005/2006. Toulouse metro company SMAT can be contacted by fax +33 5611 44851 and the full tender terms can be viewed at http://ted.eur-op.eu.int select option 45 221 240. May 2000. Contracts for line B awarded for start May 1st, 2001: contract 2 for 4.7 km bored tunnels with seven underground stations to Vinci/Eiffage; contract 4 for 3.8 km tunnels with five stations to consortium of Bouygues, Dalla Vera, Soletanche Bachy, Razel, Demathieu & Bard, Malet, and Seso; contract 5 for 3.2 km of tunnels with five stations to GTM, Vinci, Spie Batignolles. Visit www.groupe-vinci.com 13/01. Invitation to negotiate contract, deadline 29th June, 2001, for construction of two stations and two cut and cover tunnels, length 1.075 km and 1.4 km for SMAT, Toulouse, fax +33 561 144851. 25/01.Award of $45 million construction contract for section 3, line B, including 1.052 km-long single tunnel and Jean Jaures cut and cover interchange station to consortium of Carillion, Urbaine, Soletanche-Bachy, CSM Bessac, Seso and Malet. Visit www.soletanche-bachy.com 26/01.