Restricted invitation to tender for construction of 4 km-long railway line with 2 km tunnel. Deadline 28th February, 2000. Contact Ferrovie Nord, Milan, fax +39 02 869 2838. January 2000.  Restricted tendering, deadline 1st March, 2002 for the construction of two shield-driven tunnels, 3.7 km-long, under river Olona, four connecting tunnels to be bored using traditional methods, and eight shafts (launch and exit shafts, ventilation, emergency exit, etc.). Budget of €46.6 million. Visit http://ted.eur-op.eu.int/ojs/en/frame.htm, OJ S 16, document 11783-2002 or contact Ferrovie Nord Milano, Milan, fax +39 028691231. 05/02.Strabag, Torno Internazionale, Cogeis and Romagnoli secured a EUR36.7 million contract from Ferrovie Nord Milano (FNM) to sink underground the tracks in Castellanza, including 2 x 1,855 m of bored tunnel and 2 x 1.9 km in cut-and-cover. The bored tunnel will be dug using a revamped 8.15 m-diameter Wirth EPB TBM, previously used on Contract 240 of the Channel tunnel rail link in London. The TBM length without back-up is 12 m (110 m with it). The cutterhead installed power is 2,800 kW. The TBM transformer rating is 2 x 1,800 kVA. The machine is equipped with 29 thrust cylinders, each with a force of 2,215 kN at 360 bar, and a total thrust of 64,235 kN. The cutterhead has 16 cutters, 21 rippers, 102 scrapers and 20 centre cutting tools supplied by TunnelTec. Mucking-out with conveyor belt. Finished diameter will be 7.15 m. Lining with 30 cm-thick concrete segments, eight pieces plus the key per ring. The launch shaft is under construction. Also four cross passages between both tubes. Excavation start on 1st July, 2005 for completion in March 2007. Visit www.wirth-europe.de, www.strabag.at, www.torno.com, www.cogeis.it and www.romagnoli.net 09/05.