Eleven contracting joint ventures prequalified for twin 6.1 km x 9 m-diameter single-track tunnels required for Bologna section including large central station. Tenders closed end-May for 1.27 km access tunnel in Bologna. Tunnels will also be required at San Ruffillo, south of Bologna, to connect with existing line. August 1999.   S. Ruffillo, a jv of Necso/Salini/Ghella, has purchased a new 9.4 m-diameter Lovat RME370SE TBM to excavate the 6.11 km Galleria Passante to connect the TAV high-speed railway to Bologna. At 30 m below water table, geology is: clay, 840 m; silt with gravel, 350 m; gravel with sandy-silt, 3.2 km; silty-clay and sand, 1.72 km. TBM has fully hydraulic bi-directional, multiple speed, mixed face cuttinghead with disc cutters interchangeable with ripper teeth, ground conditioning ports, and screw. It will negotiate a horizontal curve of 470 m minimum radius. Vacuum segment erector will install 1.5 m-wide x 9.1 m o.d./8.3 m i.d. segments. Visit www.lovat.com and www.necso.es November 2000.Lovat announced sale of second 9.4 m-diameter RME370SE TBM for delivery September, 2001 to Necso/Salini/Ghella for the parallel 6.11 km-long tube from San Ruffilo to Bologna city centre. Visit www.lovat.com December 2000.   Open invitation to tender, deadline 22nd October, 2001, for construction of Parma section of Milan-Bologna HSR link with two tunnels. Contact Cepav Uno, tel +39 025 205 2305. 41/01.  Two cut-and-cover tunnels under construction in Somaglia (1,069 m) in the Lodi Province and Fontanelatto (1,635 m) in the Parma Province by consortium Cepav Uno including Aquater, Consorzio Cooperative Costruzioni, Grandi Lavori Fincosit, Pizzarotti, Snamprogetti, and Saipem. Visit www.tav.it 50/01.