Amberg Engineering AG of Sargans has been awarded Lot 2 contract to construct the Galgenbuck tunnel on N04/06, value EUR116.5 million for completion 2016. Visit www.amberg.ch and http://ted.europa.eu/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=333608-2008. 02/09...

Amberg Engineering AG of Regensdorf has secured the contract to upgrade the 1,910 m-long Milchbuck tunnel on N01/40, including a new parallel 1.3 km-long safety tunnel. Contract value EUR16.34 million, completion 2013. Visit www.amberg.ch and http://ted.europa.eu/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=333611-2008. 02/09...

IDOM SA of Zaragoza has secured the contract to refurbish equipment in the 3,070 m-long Bielsa-Aragnouet tunnel on A138. Visit www.idom.es and http://ted.europa.eu/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=000430-2009. 02/09..

Oslo-based contractor Veidekke Entreprenor AS has been awarded the EUR25 million contract for alterations to the Okern underground station together with revision and upgrading of adjacent main roads, two roundabouts, local roads and footpaths...

Pre-feasibility study being undertaken by ILF Consulting Engineers for construction of single track railway line along the Karakorum highway between the end of the existing railway network in the south at Havelian and the border between Pakistan and China near the famous Khunjrab Pass in the north.

Prequalification underway by MTR for tender reference no 703 for West Island Line SHW to SYP tunnels value EUR30 million with a view to selective invitations to tender being issued in 4Q/2008 for contract award in 3Q/2009. Expressions of interest to Malcolm O’Neill, tel 3921 3383, e-mail moneill@mtr.com.hk Visit www.mtr.com.hk/eng/tenders/new_projects.html 45/08.

Prior information notice for construction works, value EUR24.86 million, for a undergroung cut-and-cover tunnel from Pabellon Moises Ruiz to Plaza de Barcelona, 1,1 km, with 0.8 m-thick base, 1.0 m-thick walls and 1.0 m-thick roof, on Carretera de Ronda, in Almeria. The works will include intermodal station.

With a budget of COP703 billion, the Ministry of transport and the National highway institute (Invias) reinstated the tender process of the La Linea tunnel. Interested candidates have until 16th July, 2008 to submit their economic, legal and technical bids. The contract will be awarded in September. From 12th May and during three days, interested companies have to register online on Invias website, a prerequisite to continue in the process. Then, a 60-day period will open that can be extended a further 30 days at the request of proponents, until the bids are submitted. Visit www.invias.gov.co/invias/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=599 to get registered.

This time, the national government granted COP92 billion more to the budget and plans that the project will be built within 70 months. The new tendering process eliminates rigidities that previously hampered a greater participation from foreign companies. It includes a different, more flexible scheme to avoid that the tender process be declared void as it already happened three times, because proponents argued that the amount of the works at the time, budgeted at COP611 billion, was not sufficient in view of the magnitude of the project. In this new intent to award the contract, the process will be modular.

The first module entails the tunnelling, paving and cladding of the tunnel and the construction of the first dual carriageway from Cajamarca to the tunnel mouth in Tolima. The second module is for the studies, design and construction of the second dual carriageway between Calarcá and the Quindío portal. Tenders for E&M equipment will only be invited in 2011, for example the ventilation system, an aspect that had significant economic weight in the initial tender and was one of the main factors of risk.

The proponents will have to bid for the two modules but, depending on the economic value of each one of them, the government will decide if it awards the two modules to the same contractor or in separate contracts. Additionally, the successful bidder(s) will be allowed to import machinery free of tax. For further information, contact Oficina de Comunicaciones del Instituto Nacional de Vías, tel. +57 4285236 or 3831000, ext. 1230, 1242, 1251 y 1309 or visit www.invias.gov.co

The La Linea tunnel project includes a 8.8 km tunnel designed to cross the Andean mountain range and a dual carriageway connecting the tunnel with Cajamarca (Tolima) and Calarcá (Quindío). The value of the Calarcá-Cajamarca section amounts to COP719 billion. The Calarcá-Cajamarca corridor project is divided in four sections: Buenaventura-Buga (section 1), Buga-La Paila (section 2 in concession), La Paila-Armenia-Ibagué, included the La Linea tunnel (section 3), and Ibagué-Bogota (section 4).

Currently, Invias is building the pilot tunnel, which is expected to be finished in the first half of 2008. It serves as geological and geotechnical exploration to reduce the geological risks during construction of the main tunnel. As of 9th May, 2008, the pilot tunnel was 91% completed. Click here and co/15. 20/08.