Joint venture of Astaldi/Impregilo/Di Penta nearing completion of $500 million, 13 km-long, 5.2 m-diameter rail tunnel on the Palermo-Messina line beneath the Peloritani mountains between Messina and Villafranca Tirrenica. A 2 km TBM pilot tunnel had to be abandoned after it hit waterbearing ground comprising degraded gneiss and mylonite and the main tunnel opened out using radial grouting and forepoling through this section. Top heading proceeded using umbrella drilling and forepoling, with backhoe and excavator-mounted hydraulic hammers, followed by abutment and bench excavations. More from www.impregilo.it June 2000.Restricted procedure, deadline 12th May, 2004 for design, construction and work management for the dualling of the 19.7 km Fiumetorto-Cefalu Ogliastrillo section on the Palermo-Messina line, including the 4,127 m Monte Poggio Maria tunnel. It is a single tube for two tracks. The diameter to crown is 10.5 m. Geology composed of Tusa tuff, Reitano flysch and earthwork deposits. Drill/blast and/or hydraulic hammer. When the face is stable, the support will be a mix of fibre-reinforced shotcrete, steel arches and possible steel pipes (section A1) or fibre-reinforced shotcrete, steel arches and bolts (section A2). When the ground is less stable, support with fibre-reinforced shotcrete, steel arches and steel pipes and reinforcement of the face with grouted fibre glass bolts (section B1) or even excavation under an umbrella vault (section B2). When the ground is unstable, support with fibre-reinforced shotcrete, steel arches and reinforcement of the face with jet grouting (section C1) or fibre-reinforced shotcrete, steel arches and reinforcement of the face with grouted fibre glass bolts (section C2). Tender value: EUR307.8 million. Visit http://ted.publications.eu.int/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=054097-2004, OJ S 63, or contact Italferr, Rome, fax +39 0649752445. E-mail a.putaturo@italferr.it 18/04.A JV between Maire Lavori and Baldassini Tognozzi-Pontello scooped a EUR278.2 million contract for the design, construction and work management for the dualling of the 19.7 km Fiumetorto-Cefalu Ogliastrillo section on the Palermo-Messina line, including the 4,127 m-long 10.5 m-diameter Monte Poggio Maria single-tube twin-track tunnel. Click it/36. Visit www.baldassinitognozzi.it 47/05.