$100 million new line with 14 stations to be built for Vaud Canton between Ouchy in the south and Epalinges in the north will be 6 km long with 1.8 km in single 7.5 m-diameter tunnel excavated by roadheader in molasse and moraine with sprayed concrete support. Restricted invitations to tender closed 7th July, 2000 with a view to starting construction early-2002 for commissioning 2005. Contact Service des Routes, tel +41 213 167069. Alstom will supply $25 million fully-automated, driverless train control system and $50 million 15 two-car, rubber-tyred train sets. Visit www.alstom.com July 2000. The Swiss Confederation is to grant Sfr70 million until 2007 to finance the 6 km extension of Line 2, known as Métro-Ouchy, between the central station and Croisettes in Epalinges in the northeast thus reducing the financial burden of the Vaud Canton to Sfr305 million. At least 70% of the alignment will be underground. There will be 14 stations on an average gradient of 5.7%. The overall budget totals Sfr590 million. Visit http://www.dinf.vd.ch/target/body/gp_transport/doss_avenir/b_dav_metro_ne.html 09/02.Preparatory work has started on Line 2. Contracts 1100 and 1200 will be built by a consortium formed by Deneriaz, Zschokke Locher, Grisoni Zaugg, and Walo Bertschinger. Contract 1100 includes two tunnels (238 m and 246 m), a 28 m-long cut-and-cover stretch and a 77 m-long station. Contract 1200 encompasses two tunnels (306 m and 265 m), two cut-and-cover portions (41 m and 12 m) and one 33 m-long station. Visit www.deneriaz.chContract 1300 has been secured by Losinger and Frutiger. It includes a 136 m tunnel. Contract 1400 goes to Losinger. It requires two tunnels (63 m and 486 m), a 161 m cut-and-cover tunnel and a 33 m-long station. Visit www.losinger.chJPF Construction, Induni, Evequoz and Getra secured contract 1500 which includes a 503 m tunnel, a 69 m cut-and-cover tunnel and a 58 m-long station.Contract 1700 will be constructed by Marti Tunnelbau and Batigroup. It includes a 665 m tunnel, a 41 m cut-and-cover stretch and a 33 m-long station. Visit www.martiag.chContract 1900 includes a 452 m tunnel, a 72 m cut-and-cover portion and a 100 m-long station. It will be built by Infra Tunnel and Bernasconi. Visit www.infratunnel.chContract 2000, awarded to Batigroup, Marti Travaux, Perrin Frères and Bertholet & Mathis, includes a 30 m cut-and-cover stretch. Visit www.batigroup.comContract 2100 has been awarded to JPF Construction and includes a 68 m cut-and-cover portion. Also visit www.t-l.ch 22/04.