Award to Ascon-Nuttall of $20 million contract to include 2.8 km-long, 3 m-diameter tunnel under River Lee for sewer siphon. January 2000.   Major scheme comprising five contracts for tunnels up to 1.8 m-diameter, value $60 million. Invitations to tender expected end-June for publication in European Gazette and on the EU official website at http://ted.eur-op.eu.int May 2000.  Nuttall/Ascon jv reports launch of 3.6 m-diameter Lovat RME 131SE series 18900 EPB from Atlantic Pond shaft on the 2.6 km-long, 3 m i.d. phase 1 tunnel to reception shaft at Kennedy Quay near city centre as part of Cork Main Drainage scheme. Ground comprises sand, gravels, silts and a short section of carboniferous limestone. Macrete six-piece trapezoidal concrete segmental wedgeblock lining with EPDM gasket will be erected in the TBM tailskin. Alignment follows roads in a series of curves of minimum radius 200 m. Contract now valued at $18 million includes 11 m-diameter pumping shaft, eight access shafts, pipejacked siphon under the River Lee, and three wet caisson shafts. Visit www.edmund-nuttall.co.uk and www.lovat.com July 2000.