First stage involves 14 km line with four tunnels connecting Pisgat Zeev in the north to the old city, the city centre and up to Mount Herzl in the southwest. Two underground sections. City Entrance tunnel in hard dolomite with only 2 m rock cover; Paratroopers tunnel in limestone with low vibration limitation; Hashalom Road tunnel in chalk and marly chalk; Depot's Entrance tunnel in chalk and limestone. $351 million total, of which $47 million for underground works. Design subject to re-evaluation by Semaly, France. Final plan calls for 8 lines with double tracks comprising 50 km with 75 stations. February 1999.   Tenders are likely to be called before the end of 1999 for construction of the first line from French Hill via Yaffo Street to Herzl Boulevard, estimated cost US$250 million. The entire five-line project now comprises 47 km of track, including 6.5 km in tunnel, and 72 stations. Total cost is estimated at US$1.3 billion and completion is expected in 2002. November 1999.   Tenders are likely to be called before the end of this year for construction of a light rail network in Jerusalem. The entire five-line project comprises 47 km of track, including 6.5 km in tunnel, and 72 stations. Total cost is estimated at US$1.3 billion and completion is slated for 2002. The first line will run from French Hill via Yaffo Street to Herzl Boulevard, and will cost about US$250 million. December 1999.   Prequalification bids for the 30-year build-operate-maintain concession for the first 14-km phase of the planned light rail network received from Baran Group in partnership with SNC-Lavalin, Canada as well as from domestic companies Africa Israel Investments and Housing & Construction Holding Co. March 2000.  The City Pass consortium, made up of Alstom, CGEA, and local companies Polar Investments and Ashtrom, was chosen as preferred candidate to build the first line, estimated to cost NIS1.7 billion.Trains are scheduled to start passenger services in mid-2006 between Mount Herzl and Pisgat Ze'ev via Rehov Jaffa on a 13.8 kilometre route serving 23 stations. The project is a BOT concession for 30 years. 45/02.