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.

ifa tunnel: Training Centre for Rescue Organizations

Switzerland not only builds the longest tunnels in the world, but also wants to offer users maximum safety. In Balsthal (canton of Solothurn) and Lungern (canton of Obwalden), training facilities are currently being constructed in which rescue organizations can optimally prepare for deployment in underground transportation systems. In order to effectively rescue people and fight fires, fire departments must be able to access underground transportation facilities like tunnels, garages or train stations in all conditions.

Therefore, emergency response services like fire departments, ambulances and police require comprehensive theoretical training. In addition, the Swiss Federal Office for Roads (ASTRA) had already called for the construction of a practice tunnel for response services in the year 2000 - a consequence of the catastrophic fires in the Tauern and Mont Blanc tunnels.

Over 1,000 metres of tunnels and pathways to practice

In the summer of 2005, ASTRA commissioned the Basellandschaftliche Gebaeudeversicherung and the Solothurnische Gebaeudeversicherung, as agencies of the inter-cantonal fire department training centre ifa, to build practice facilities for emergency response services as well as develop a comprehensive teaching programme for application in underground transportation situations in partnership with Gasser Felstechnik, in the Balsthal and Lungern sites.

A fire tunnel is currently being constructed in the Bruenig mountain in Lungern. In Balsthal, construction has begun on a combined road and rail tunnel with an integrated training garage. Both sites will offer a labyrinth of more than 1,000 metres, in which all conceivable operations in all types of underground transportation facilities may be practiced: from fires in garages, accidents involving hazardous materials in street tunnels, derailments in rail tunnels, to explosions in underground train stations and shopping passages.

To simulate fires, ifa relies on environmentally friendly gas-fire technology. The steel of the mock passenger cars, trucks, coaches and rail cars is heated, and the temperature in the training area rises to 400°C. Although the flames are real, non-toxic training smoke is used to fill the space. This way, the health risks for users, as well as environmental consequences, are reduced to a minimum. The heat, smoke and degree of difficulty can be precisely controlled, so that the trainees are adequately challenged, but not overwhelmed.

A competence centre at the heart of Europe

The test operations are to begin in Lungern in 2008, and in Balsthal in 2009. During the first two years, the main goal of ifa is to train the fire departments responsible for the Swiss highway and rail tunnels, and to be available for the ambulance, police and other emergency response services. In the medium term, ifa expects to welcome fire departments from all over Europe.

The training facilities in Balsthal and Lungern will cost about CHF35 million and will be financed by the Federation. Infrastructure such as changing rooms, respiratory protection stations, canteens and accommodation will be made available in Balsthal by ifa, and in Lungern by Gasser Felstechnik. Read E-News Weekly 4/2006 & 30/2005. Visit www.ifa-tunnel.ch 27-28/07.