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13th Australian Tunnelling Conference Underway in Melbourne
The elite of the world's tunnelling industry is meeting in Melbourne, Australia this week from 4th to 7th May to discuss engineering in a changing environment. With the current high level of tunnelling activity in the country, including the 4.7 km-long Brisbane North South Bypass with two large TBMs, and the Melbourne Water/Yarra Valley Water Northern Sewerage Project with three TBMs, the conference should prove interesting. The 4.5 km-long Stage 2 of the latter project is due to start tunnelling in August using a 3 m Robbins double shield TBM. This will be the third TBM launch, two Herrenknecht EPBs having already been put to work on the 8 km-long Stage 1 tunnels. Spoil from the Stage 1 machines is being elevated up a shaft using a Marti Technik vertical conveyor. Korea Mould has supplied the segment moulding equipment for all of the tunnels. With the three-lane twin 1.5 km EastLink tunnels about to open in Melbourne, and exciting projects in the offing such as the 14 km Marrickville tunnel from Port Botany to the extended M4 motorway, which will be the longest road tunnel in the southern hemisphere, there is also plenty to look forward to. Highlight of the conference will be the dinner on Tuesday in the Members Dining Room at Melbourne Cricket Ground. For more visit www.ats.org.au and www.atstunnellingconference2008.com 19/08.

Course on Tunnel Design and Construction
A five-day course organized by the British Tunnelling Society will take place 23-27 June, 2008 at Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middlesex. Aimed at young consulting and construction engineers at the start of their careers, the course will also be valuable to salespeople from the equipment supply, financial and insurance sectors with involvement in tunnelling. Some 80 residential places are available. To download a brochure with registration form click here. 19/08.

Contractor Prequalification for Hong Kong HATS Stage 2A Sewage Tunnels
The Government of the Hong Kong SAR invites contractors to apply for prequalification of tenders. Click here for the official notice or contact keith.tsang@maunsell.aecom.com18/08.

Newsflash: Project Manager Wanted for Domestic and International Markets
Within Marti Holding AG, Marti Technik is a renowned technology company operating internationally in the areas of aggregate production plant, belt conveying technology, formwork construction, infrastructure projects, and electrical engineering in the field of tunnel construction. With immediate effect or by agreement, Marti Technik is looking for a competent and experienced male or female project manager based in Switzerland for their conveying technology division.
In this important position, the project manager is responsible for the realization of the overall process, including coordination, during all the phases of the project, with the internal and external project participants. As a qualified and responsible project manager, he/she also negotiates independently and in a targeted manner according to Marti's principles and implements the project economically to meet the full satisfaction of the customers.

He/she shall have a strong technical and commercial background and experience as well as experience in project management relating to major construction sites. Well organised with negotiating skills and strong power of persuasion, he/she completes projects in a cost-conscious and timely manner. He/she shall convince all project participants with his/her balanced business approach and actions as well as with his/her technical know-how. The practice of foreign languages (written and spoken) is indispensable to manage worldwide projects.
A dynamic and successful team that has distinguished and established itself in the market through innovative top performances is waiting for you. Marti Technik guarantees a salary in line with your performance as well as good social benefits.
Mr Pierre-Alain Scherwey is available for additional information at tel. +41 318584529 or e-mail pierre-alain.scherwey@martitechnik.ch. Send your complete application documentation to: Marti Technik AG, Mrs Medea Perrig, Lochackerweg 2, CH-3302 Moosseedorf, Switzerland or tel. +41 318584464, fax +41 318583389, e-mail medea.perrig@martitechnik.ch 16/08.

Albania
Tirana-Durazzo-Elbasan - al/14
Highway
Tender notice, deadline 29th May, 2008 for feasibility study, detailed technical analysis and design for a new highway in the Tirana/Durazzo/Rrogozhine/Elbasan region. The project is expected to comprise approximately some 30-34 km of single carriageway including approximately 2 to 3 km of tunnel. Visit http://ted.europa.eu/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=103286-2008, OJ S 77, or contact Delegation of the European Commission in Albania, Contracts, finance and audit section, Rruga e Durresit, 127/1 (Laprake), Tirana, Albania. 19/08.

Colombia
Bogota - co/11
Metro
A total of 56 national and foreign companies have expressed interest in the conceptual design for Bogota's mass transit metro network and the technical, legal and financial scope of the first metro line. Among these, 35 are joint ventures from various countries. The second phase of the process is the evaluation of the information sent by the candidates to then establish a shortlist in accordance with the requirements of the World Bank. Then, the prequalified candidates will be invited to prepare and submit their bids. To know the companies who expressed interest, visit www.transitobogota.gov.co/admin/contenido/documentos/FirmasProyec-metro_10_16_42.pdf
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is ready to lend half of the USD2.5 billion required to build the subway train in the Colombian capital. Currently, the IDB is financing prefeasibility studies to determine where the subway should run, whether it would be underground and how to interconnect it with the existing bus rapid transit system Transmilenio and the existing railways linking Bogota with surrounding towns. Over the next four years, the IDB will invest USD40 million to carry out legal, financial and environmental studies. The project most likely will be financed by several multilateral lenders and private loans. 19/08.

Italy
Marche - it/126
Road
ANAS, the Italian national road administration, has declared in the public interest on 23rd April, 2008 a proposal submitted by a joint venture formed by Impregilo (leader, with a 47% share), Astaldi (24%), Pizzarotti (18%) and Itinera (11%) as concessionaire of the project finance initiative for the construction and management of the road link between the Port of Ancona and motorway A14 and the Adriatica national road SS 16. The project value amounts to approx. EUR580 million. The 30-year concession contract will be awarded further to an invitation to tender in negotiated procedure, in which the concessionaire will take advantage of a pre-emptive right. The new road consists of a double carriageway road extending for approx. 11 km, of which 8 km is main road network and the remaining section road links. The alignment, extending mainly underground, includes the construction of approx. 4 km of twin-bore tunnels and two viaducts of a global length of approx. 1.6 km. The duration of the works, including the design phase and tests, is expected to be of 72 months. Click it/126. Visit www.impregilo.it, www.astaldi.com, www.pizzarotti.it and www.itinera-spa.it 19/08.

Italy
Lombardy - it/127
Roads
ANAS, the Italian national road administration, has declared in the public interest on 23rd April, 2008 the offer of Gemmo, Uniland, Consorzio Ravennate delle Cooperative di Produzione e Lavoro and Sintel Engineering to upgrade, bring to standards and manage the equipment in the tunnels operated in Lombardy. The group of companies will take advantage of a pre-emption right over other bidders. Visit www.gemmo.com, www.consrav.net and www.sintelitalia.com 19/08.

Italy
Friuli-Venezia Giulia - it/134
Road
A group of engineering firms led by Pro Iter, teaming with Eng Team & Partners, C&T Engineering, Geosyntech and Spain's FHECOR, scooped a EUR764,600 contract to prepare the final design, safety coordination during final design and associated assignments (surveying, geotechnical and geological studies, etc.) as part of the upgrading of road SS13 "Pontebbana" from the south ring road in Udine to Pordenone province's road system, first lot on the section from Ronche di Fontanafredda interchange to Ponte della Delizia. The project includes a 1.4 km single-tube two-lane cut-and-cover tunnel. Visit www.proiter.it, www.engteam.it, www.cetengineering.it, www.geosyntech.it and www.fhecor.es 19/08.

Norway
Oslo - no/97
Sewage
Negotiated invitation to tender, deadline 26th May, 2008 for soil investigations for the Midgardsormen project. Click no/97. Visit http://ted.europa.eu/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=108946-2008, OJ S 80, or contact Oslo Kommune, Oslo, fax +47 23437241. E-mail erik.bjoranesset@vav.oslo.kommune.no 19/08.

Portugal
Madeira - pt/39
Hydropower
Open invitation to tender, deadline 16th June, 2008 for construction of the new Calheta hydropower plant, including an approx. 2 km-long 50 sq m water tunnel. Visit http://ted.europa.eu/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=104688-2008, OJ S 77, or contact Empresa de Electricidade da Madeira, Funchal, fax +351 291233324. E-mail eem@eem.pt 19/08.

Spain
Galicia - es/45
High Speed Railway
Open invitation to tender, deadline 12th June, 2008 for execution of works to install the safety systems on the Cerceda-Meirama-Bregua section. The 8.1 km Cerceda-Meirama section includes two tunnels (1,735 m and 180 m) and the 5 km Meirama-Bregua section includes a 3,469 m tunnel. Visit http://ted.europa.eu/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=105360-2008, OJ S 78, or contact Ministry of development, Madrid, fax +34 915979342 or 915978470. E-mail vrpascual@fomento.es or cpublic@fomento.es 18-19/08.
Open invitation to tender, deadline 17th June, 2008 for work management during installation of the safety systems on the Cerceda-Meirama-Bregua section on the Atlantic coast high speed line. Visit http://ted.europa.eu/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=110301-2008, OJ S 81, or contact Ministry of development, Madrid, fax +34 915979342 or 915978470. E-mail vrpascual@fomento.es or cpublic@fomento.es 19/08.

Spain
Valencian Community - es/81
Light Rail
Open invitation to tender, deadline 9th June, 2008 for detailed design of the first phase of the extension of tram line 1 in Alicante to El Altet airport. The 11.5 km extension from the intermodal station to the airport will run underground on two kilometres in the urban area, starting from the intermodal station beneath Ausó and Monzó streets and Avenida de Orihuela to emerge to the daylight in Babel. This first phase includes three stations (Gran Vía, Avenida de Orihuela and Babel, the first two being underground stations). The line will reach the airport in 2011. Visit http://ted.europa.eu/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=107236-2008, OJ S 79, or contact Generalitat Valenciana, Valencia, tel. +34 963866425. 19/08.

Spain
Andalusia - es/148
Water
Open invitation to tender, deadline 5th June, 2008 for detailed design of the dualling of the San Silvestre water tunnel in Huelva province. The existing tunnel is 7,594 m long and features a 4.70 sq m horse shoe-shaped cross-section. Visit http://ted.europa.eu/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=102921-2008, OJ S 76, or contact Agencia Andaluza del Agua, Seville, fax +34 955625293. E-mail juan.jimenez.garcia@juntadeandalucia.es 19/08.

Construction of Second Tunnel Ends on Line 1 of Seville Metro
It took seven and a half months to dig the second TBM-built tunnel of Line 1 of the Seville metro, while it took twenty-one and a half months for the first, parallel bore. Crews achieved an advance rate of ten metres per day. Read more. 18/08.

TunnelTec Delivers First Rock Cutter Head to Canada
A critical section of Calgary's sanitary sewer conveyance system crosses through the Bow River at 15th Street. The existing siphon now serves a population of approximately 431,000 residents and is nearing capacity. A failure of the siphon could be an environmental event with social and health-related consequences. It was decided that a new siphon able to handle the peak flows for the next 25 years should be constructed. This project involves open-cut excavation north and south of the river
and a tunnel under the river. Read more. 18/08.

Cuilfail Refurbishment
Mott MacDonald has issued a prequalification notice for the refurbishment of Cuilfail tunnel in south-east England. Click here for details. 17/08.

Turin Hosts INTERtunnel and EXPO Ferroviaria 2008
The 8th edition of INTERtunnel will be held in Turin from 20th to 22nd May, 2008 at Lingotto Fiere exhibition centre. INTERtunnel 2008 offers the opportunity to companies from the tunnelling industry to showcase new products and technologies. The technical exhibition is intended for all companies operating in all the fields of tunnel construction and associated services. At end March, 80 exhibitors from 13 countries were registered. Among these are companies specialised in tunnelling; outfit, installations and materials for tunnels; microtunnelling and trenchless technology; firefighting and safety systems; communication devices and systems; pollution control and ventilation systems, lighting; and engineering consultancy.
INTERtunnel 2008 will take place together with the third edition of EXPO Ferroviaria at Lingotto Fiere exhibition centre. EXPO Ferroviaria is dedicated to rail technology as well as urban metro and tramway systems. To date, about 300 exhibitors from 17 countries have reserved a stand.
Additional exhibition space had to be provided to meet demand for stands at Italy's only regular dedicated trade shows for the tunnelling and rail technology industries. By the end of February, around 350 organisations had confirmed their participation in the two co-located events, leading show organisers to enlarge the amount of available floor space on offer to exhibitors.
As well as learning about the latest developments in tunnelling technology, visitors to this year's exhibitions are being offered the opportunity to take part in a stimulating programme of associated events. Alongside INTERtunnel, a one-day congress is being organised by the Italian Tunnelling Society (Società Italiana Gallerie - SIG) on "Tunnels: a strategic resource for an environmentally friendly development". For more information, visit www.intertunnel.com and www.expoferroviaria.com 17/08.

China Orders for NFM Technologies
NFM Technologies has received an order for four machines for the Chinese market, two for the Shenzhen metro and another pair for the Shenyang metro. With these new contracts, NFM Technologies consolidate its market stronghold in China. Read more. 17/08.

Greater Sudbury Rock Tunnel is 75% Complete
The south end rock tunnel in the City of Greater Sudbury, Canada, will add 6.5 kilometres to the existing network of sewage collection tunnels. Two drives have been jointed in January, bringing the project advance rate to 60%, and the project has now progressed further to 75%. Read more. 16/08.

TBM Finish at Kárahnjúkar Dam
A major milestone has been achieved at the mammoth Kárahnjúkar hydro power scheme in Iceland where the second TBM ended its job. Tunnelling is now nearing completion, paving the way to the full commissioning of one of the world's most complex and biggest hydropower schemes. Read more. 16/08.

Caterpillar Announces Entry into TBM Business with Acquisition of Lovat
The tunnelling industry is booming and consolidating. The purchase of Lovat, an industry-leading producer of tunnel boring machines, is a strategic fit that complements Caterpillar's global business and fits well with Caterpillar's long-term growth strategy. Read more. 15/08.

Channel Tunnel Rail Link Engineer Receives IStructE’s Gold Medal for 2008
Arup director Mike Glover became in 2007 the seventh winner of the prestigious Royal Academy of Engineering’s Sir Frank Whittle Medal in recognition of his achievement in the planning, design and construction of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL). The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) now announces it will honour Mike Glover with the 2008 IStructE Gold Medal, for his outstanding contribution to the design and construction of major multi-disciplinary projects around the world. Read more. 15/08.