NFM Technologies TBM Completes Atocha-Nuevos Ministerios Section on New Atocha-Chamartin Tunnel in MadridA NFM Technologies EPB TBM holed through on 27th July, 2005 the Atocha-Nuevos Ministerios section on the new suburban rail link between Atocha and Chamartin stations in Madrid. This 4.5 km 8.43 m ID section forms part of the new 7.5 km connection between Madrid's two main railway stations. The builders are Dragados and Tecsa.The new Atocha-Chamartin connection will improve commuting times, with reductions of up to 30 minutes for return trips from cities like Aranjuez (suburban line C-3) and Parla (C-4). When construction is completed, all suburban trains which now converge towards Atocha will provide an uninterrupted service - some of these through the existing tunnel and others through the new one. The new tunnel will also relieve traffic at Atocha station during rush hours on Lines C-1 (Alcala de Henares), C-2 (Guadalajara) and C-5 (Fuenlabrada and Mostoles). In addition, connections between suburban lines and eight lines of the Madrid metro will be improved (L1 in Atocha, L1, L2 and L3 in Sol, L1 and L5 in Gran Via, L4, L5 and L10 in Alonso Martinez, L6, L8 and L10 in Nuevos Ministerios and L10 in Chamartin) and the capacity of trains circulating in the south-north direction from Atocha to Chamartin will be doubled. The new railway link from Atocha to Chamartin, also known as second "tunnel of the laughter", includes three intermediate stations in Sol, Alonso Martinez and Nuevos Ministerios.The first phase of the new infrastructure is expected to enter in service in 2007, although the completion of Sol station, currently under construction, is hoped for 2008. An agreement has still to be signed between the Ministry of public works, the Madrid regional government and the city of Madrid to co-finance Alonso Martinez station. With respect to security, the tunnel has 17 ventilation shafts and 13 emergency exits and is designed to allow rescue vehicles, ambulances and firemen to pass through. The final budget of the completed section is EUR96 million (EUR320 million for all the tunnel and three stations). Click es/68 and here. Visit www.wirth-europe.de/NFM/NFM.htm and www.rafcercamadrid.com 35/05.