SELI signed a contract with JV Salini Costruttori Spa, Tecnimont Spa and Icop Spa for excavation of a new section between Conca d'Oro and Jonio stations, on line B1. This includes excavation of a 950 m-long tunnel, crossing of the 150 m-long Jonio station, and supply and placement of 40 cm-thick precast concrete segments. The Herrenknecht EPB TBM, which has a diameter of 9.79 m and a total length of 80 m, will be driven from the Conca D'Oro station box. The alignment is through river deposits consisting of gravel in silty sand matrix characterized by poor geotechnical properties, with the groundwater table 17 m above the tunnel crown. The tunnel will be internally lined with precast concrete segments, 40 cm-thick and 1.4 m-long, in a 7+1 configuration. It will have an internal diameter of 8.65 m and an external diameter of 9.45 m. Excavation will begin in April, 2010. For more visit tunnelbuilder archive it/31 and here. Visit www.selitunnel.com and www.herrenknecht.com. 04/10.