A consortium set up by Obras Portuarias de Coatzacoalcos (OPC), Matrix, Capsa and FCC is the winner of a EUR155.8 million contract to build, operate and maintain during 30 years a toll tunnel under the Coatzacoalcos river in Veracruz state. The tunnel is 1.6 km long, whereof 700 m will be immersed. It has been designed to carry two dual-lane carriageways. There will be a safety and rescue tunnel between each carriageway.The tunnel will link the Coatzacoalcos urban area with Allende industrial area, where the biggest petroleum industry facilities in Latin America are located. The new tunnel will relieve the existing Coatzacoalcos I steel bridge on the river. This toll bridge was built in 1958, it is congested and can no longer handle the ongoing traffic levels. The new submerged tunnel is the first of its kind in Latin America. The submerged tunnel section will consist of six dual-tube prestressed concrete elements, each 138 m in length, that will be built in a dry casting basin connected to the river by a ship canal through which the elements will subsequently be floated and transported to the tunnel site by towboats. Then, each tunnel element will be lowered to its final place on the previously dredged river bottom. The elements will be joined together under the water using watertight seals. Finally, the building consortium will cover the immersed tunnel in the dredged trench with fill material prior to installing all necessary equipment inside the tunnel. Construction will begin in November. Subscribe to E-News Weekly 11/2004 & 49/2003. Visit www.fcc.es 40/04.