On behalf of DB ProjektBau, the German Railways' planning department, Pöyry carries out the technical review of the planning documents for the rail link to the Berlin Brandenburg international airport, the rebuild of the east railway junction ("Ostkreuz Berlin"), and the construction of a new tunnel for the urban railway line connecting the northern ring with Berlin's main station. The approx. 3,000 m-long project includes a 481 m four-track tunnel (west section 402a); a 1,386 m four-lane tunnel (middle section 402); a four to six track widening, 403 m and 329 m long; a 406 m-long six-track tunnel (section 404-400); and a 290 m-long two-track tunnel (middle section 407 and 408). The expected geology is marl, sand and boulder clay. The cut and cover method will be used. Other underground structures include a station for suburban and long distance trains with three island platforms, nine emergency shafts and two fire rescue shafts. Invitation to tender for construction is scheduled in the third quarter of 2007. Visit www.poyry.com 17/07.Austrian construction firm Alpine has announced that it has signed a EUR63.6 million contract with Deutsche Bahn for construction of a new 33 km-long rail link to Berlin Brandenburg International (BBI) airport. The track will provide important connections for regional and long-distance rail traffic in southern Berlin. Alpine and its partner German GSB will finish the project in 2011. The track is needed as BBI is two-thirds larger after recent expansion and needs new rail links. The contract includes six underground sections, for a total length of 2.5 km, three railway bridges and four road bridges and 33 km of track laying. The project will require to move approximately 330,000 cubic metres of earth and to use 87,000 cubic metres of reinforced concrete and approx. 12,000 tonnes reinforced steel. Also 11 m-deep shafts will be sunk. Visit www.alpine.at 03/08.