FCC reports its involvement in the construction of the 11.6 km Caravia to Llovio stretch of the Autovia del Cantabrico dual carriageway with three tunnels of total length 2.35 km. Overall value of the ongoing contract is $130 million. More detail from www.fcc.es April 2000. Ute Sella, a jv of Dragados and FCC, is working on three twin-tube tunnels on an 11.6 km-long section of the Autovia del Cantabrico near Ribadesella. El Fabar 54 sq m top heading is being developed to the halfway point at 700 m from the east portals using two Atlas Copco L2C drillrigs and three Wagner ST8B Scooptrams. The whole operation will then be moved to the west portals in order to keep the LHD tramming distances realistic. A 3 m bench will be excavated through the tunnel after completion of the top heading. Geology is limestone with slate, and quartzite with karst cavities filled with clay. Round depth limited to 1.5 m, with steel arches, mesh, Swellex rockbolts and steel fibre reinforced shotcrete for support. Some 4 m/day advance is being achieved in each face. Tezangos tunnel is 470 m long and is advancing from the east in slates and sandstones using similar techniques and equipment, and the Llovio tunnel is yet to start. More from www.atlascopco.com May 2000. Shortlist for the design/construct contract for the section of N-632 from Infanzon to Grases with two tunnels 1.27 km and 2.41 km long comprises Sacyr/Obras Subterraneas/Necso; ACS/Ferrovial; FCC/Dragados/Obras y Proyectos; and OHL/Corsan/Corviam/Tableros y Puentes. Announcement 12th December, 2000. Visit www.mma.es November 2000. Award of 3-year construction contract for 9 km-long Grases to Infanzon section of Gijon-Villaviciosa motorway to Dragados/FCC including twin-tube 1.2 km Branaviella and 2.3 km Nievares tunnels. Visit www.dragados.es 05/01. Work control and assistance contract won by Eptisa for €3 million to supervise the Grases-Infanzí³n section of highway N-632 including the 4,800 m Niévares tunnel. Twin tube 11.8 m-wide to be driven by sequential excavation using NATM through Jurassic rocks consisting of limestone, dolomites and marls. Rockbolts, fibre-reinforced shotcrete and TH steel arches. Visit www.eptisa.com 44/01. Central government approved 6.8 km Variante de Navia on western Autoví­a del Cantí¡brico for Ptas11.9 billion with time frame of 32 months. Includes 850 m tunnel under Mount Jarrio. 45/01. Open tendering, deadline 13th February, 2002 for the 6 km Variante de Navia on the Autoví­a del Cantí¡brico including a twin tunnel (871 + 826 metres) under Mount Jarrio. Cost of €72 million. Visit http://ted.eur-op.eu.int, document S 234-160924 or contact Ministry of Development, fax +34 915978330. 51/01. Navia variant on Autoví­a del Cantí¡brico awarded to FCC. The 6.4 km section includes a dual 850 m tunnel under Mount Jarrio. Visit www.fcc.es 19/02. Open call for bids, deadline 2nd October, 2002 for work management of the Variante de Navia on the Cantabrian highway which includes a 2 x 850 m tunnel. Value €2 million. Visit http://ted.eur-op.eu.int/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=127140-2002, OJ S 158, or contact Ministry of development, Madrid, fax +34 915978537 or +34 915978470. 35/02. Iberinsa and Ideam have been awarded for €1.75 million the work control and construction management of the Navia bypass on the Cantabrian highway, including a twin 850 m tunnel under Mount Jarrio. Visit www.iberinsa.es 14/03.Intecsa-Inarsa has won a €1.26 million contract for the design of the Otur-Villapedre section of the Cantabrian highway, including a 1.2 km tunnel under Mount Inferní³n. Visit www.intecsa-inarsa.es 23/03.