Possible tunnels for commencement 2001: Sinard south to Grenoble on autoroute A51; Lodeve on route nationale RN75. SGE, GTM and Eiffage to start work on A86 highway tunnel using Cofiroute TBM end-1999. Sept 1999.Socatop, a jv which comprises Campenon Bernard, GTM, Colas, Eiffage, and Jean Lefebvre, has started construction of the 4.5 km-long first section of the A86 east tunnel from Rueil to the A13 in sands, chalk, limestone and clay using its 11.6 m-diameter Herrenknecht Mixshield. Tunnel will be segmentally lined at 10.4 m internal diameter and will accommodate three lanes of light traffic in each direction on two levels. Second 5.6 km-long section from A13 to Versailles will commence in 2004, and 7.6 km-long x 10.9 m i.d. west tunnel in 2005. For equipment details visit www.herrenknecht.de and for a pleasurable experience visit www.eiffage.fr December 2000.A JV of SEITHA and Clemessy has secured a contract to equip with Zitron fans the east tunnel on the A86 highway west of Paris. There will be approximately 200 fans, power ranging from 22 to 500 kW. Visit www.seitha.fr, www.clemessy.fr and www.zitron.com 30/05.Restricted invitation to tender, deadline 26.01.2009, for design and execution of major renovation work on section A14 of the A86 motorway, including fire detection/protection and lighting on some 15 km of tunnel, creation of five safety exits and improving access to existing niches and exits, upgrading ventilation and electrical installations, and ancillary works. Completion of works scheduled for end-2011. Further information, including specs and docs, from Magguy Desplan at DIRIF, tel +33 (0)1 4676 8724, e-mail magguy.desplan@developpement-durable.gouv.fr. http://ted.europa.eu/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=331913-2008 01/09.