The consortium Spie Sud Est/Yvroud Europeenne des Fluides, Feyzin secured the EUR7.6 million contract for equipment maintenance in the Grand Lyon tunnels, the most important of which are Fourviere (1,850 m), Croix-Rousse (1,750 m), Brotteaux-Servient and Vivier-Merle (336 m). For more, contact Communaute Urbaine de Lyon, fax +33 478 957097, or visit http://marches.grandlyon.com. Visit http://ted.europa.eu/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=058386-2010. 11/10...

Gähler und Partner AG of Ennetbaden have secured the EUR2.28 million contract for PM designer for safety refurbishment in 1.14 km-long Mosi tunnel on A4, near Brunnen. Contact OFROU, Zofingen, tel +41 6274575-11, fax -90, e-mail beschaffung.zofingen@astra.admin.ch. Visit http://ted.europa.eu/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=062920-2010. 11/10...

IG BP2, c/o Bänziger Partner AG of Zurich, secured the EUR2.63 million contract from BAMO for 5.7 km-long N3 Kerenzer tunnel. Contact OFROU, Winterthour, tel +41 522344-711, fax -790, e-mail winterthur@astra.admin.ch. Visit http://ted.europa.eu/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=062921-2010. 11/10..

Construction contract for Kuechelberg tunnel awarded to PAC SpA consortium, value EUR34,695,272 excluding VAT. More from PAC in Capo di Ponte, tel +39 0364331037, fax +39 036442303, e-mail info@pacspa.it and client APB in Bozen, tel +39 04714125-14, fax –39, e-mail gare-11.5@provincia.bz.it Visit http://ted.europa.eu/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=071475-2010. 11/10...

Rete Ferroviaria Italiana SpA is inviting companies to prequalify for civil engineering work on railway tunnels in Italy. Further information and documents from Iacomino Raffaele at Gruppo Ferrovie dello Stato in Milan, tel +39 02637 148-19, fax –20, e-mail dns-qs@rfi.it to whom requests to participate should be sent. Visit

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.

The Aragnouet-Bielsa tunnel, which connects the Upper Pyrenees county in France and the Spanish province of Aragon, is notorious for its breaches to security standards, difficult access during the winter, frost problems, etc. Substantial improvements must be carried out to make the tunnel safer and facilitate its accesses on either side of the border. So far, every programme of works was financed by the French or Spanish governments, based on specific contracts as needed. The two administrations are tied by a 10-year renewable contract with alternate presidency every two years. The first president on duty is Aragon’s counsellor for transport Alfonso Vicento Barra.

A consortium set up on 2nd June, 2008 will enable a joint management with a unique budget of EUR1.2 million, shared between the two administrations. This unique body is expected to improve the management of the tunnel and its accesses. Not only will the consortium manage the 3.07 km tunnel but also 4.5 kilometres of road on the Spanish side and 6.1 kilometres of road on the French side. The two administrations will equally share the financial burden. Their budget will allow the management, maintenance and operation of the tunnel and its accesses (snow ploughing, etc.). Heavy refurbishment works will necessitate further financing and the consortium will apply for European Interreg funds.

A first EUR15 million funding spread on four years will enable the installation of a better ventilation for anti-frost purpose during the winter, a videomonitoring system and a maintenance team. It is believed these improvements will allow all-year opening of the tunnel, even during night hours to the benefit of Spanish skiers who want to go to Piau-Engaly, Saint-Lary Soulan and Peyragudes skiing resorts in France.

On 30th July, 2008, the consortium agreed upon the publication of a call for tenders for the safety improvement project. Also, a EUR1.6 million maintenance contract of the tunnel and its connecting roads has been awarded but the name of the company remains undisclosed until September, when the contract commences. 31/08.