Second Stage of Izmir Light Rail Under ConstructionThe second stage of the Izmir light rail system in Turkey is under construction by the Rail Systems Directorate of the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality. The YTL90,898,248.84 contract has been awarded to Bayindir in April 2005. The work period totals 660 days (plus a 12-month maintenance period). Visit www.izmirmetro.com.tr and www.bayindir.comThe project alignment starts at the existing excavation shaft in Üçyol station, which is the end of the first stage of the light rail system project. It runs completely in deep tunnel under Hatay, Göztepe and Poligon areas along Inönü Street and ends at Fahrettin Altay Square in Üçkuyular area. The total length of the alignment is 5,460 metres. It is a single bored double track tunnel of a total length of 4,230 m and a cross section of 60 sq m. The stations represent a length of 1,230 m, with a section of 106 sq m. The escalator tunnels span 600 m (cross section of 30 sq m).Along the alignment there are six underground stations with side passenger platforms (each 205 m long each), cut-and-cover ticket halls (with dimensions of 24 m x 60 m x 5 m), four escalator tunnels between the platform and ticket hall at each station and four ventilation shafts at each station. The names of the stations are Izmirspor, Hatay, Göztepe, Poligon, Güzelyali and Fahrettin Altay. The ticket halls in the upper levels of the stations will serve as passenger underpasses satisfying comfortable and confident passenger movement through the streets.The geology consists of volcanic rocks such as andesite, agglomerate, tuff, and sedimentary stones such as sandstone, siltstone and claystone. For tunnelling, one Voest Alpine roadheader and five excavators (2 Hyundai 290, 1 Hyundai 210, 1 Hyundai XCL7 and 1 Hitachi UH083) are used depending on the rock formations. The support and lining is secured with wire mesh, steel arches and shotcrete without fibres. For muck removal, crews use loaders and dump trucks, gantry cranes and buckets at temporary access shafts. To date, three temporary access shafts have been completed and a 150 m-long access tunnel to the main tunnel is ongoing and planned to complete within one month. 400 metres of the main track tunnel is also completed. Tunnelling commenced on 1st July, 2005. Breakthrough is scheduled for November 2006. View pictures here. Visit www.vab.sandvik.comThe project also requires track works (ballast laying, traverses, rails, barriers, switches, cabling, SCADA system), warning and information systems, electrical and electronic installations (substations, energy supply, UPS, lighting and switch systems, telephone/emergency call, wireless telephone coverage, fire warning, sound/announcement, illuminated panels, CCTV, optical fibre cables, etc.), mechanical systems (plumbing, drainage, fire extinguishing, ventilation), escalators and lifts, entrance security systems, ticket collecting, etc. Click tr/15. 49/05.