Calls for prequalifi-cations will be issued next month for the SEK3bn ($292M) tunnel construction contract on the SEK 7.7bn ($749M) Citytunneln project in Malmö, Sweden. The contract will cover the excavation of 6km of twin tube tunnels, 4.5km to be bored by TBMs and the remaining to be built as cut and cover.

Laust Ladefoged, project director for tunnels with the client, Citytunnelkonsortiet i Malmö, told T&TI that prequalifiers from the September call will be notified in February 2002 and tender documents issued in April-May.

Citytunneln is an umbrella term for a number of subprojects. Purchasing is envisaged through two large projects, including the tunnels, and 20 smaller ones. The other sizeable contract is for the expansion of Malmö Central Railway Station costing approximately SEK1bn ($97M).

The 4.5km long bored tunnels will be constructed by two 9m diameter EPB shield machines designed and provided by the contractor. Malmö’s geology is limestone split into highly water bearing Copenhagen limestone on top and dense and impermeable bryozo limestone underneath. This is underlaid by a layer of boulder clay. The risk of encountering high water bearing zones at up to 2.5 bar has led to the choice of a shielded drive.

"The challenge will be to find a TBM that bores through limestones in a problem free manner," Ladefoged said. He calculates that the machines will have to handle boring some 60-80m per week at depths of 12-25m.

Also included in the contract are 12 interconnecting tunnels for m&e equipment and evacuation and two emergency entry shafts.

The project is awaiting government approval but has already received public and political support in Sweden, not least from Swedish Prime Minister Göran Persson who said: "The Citytunneln ought to be built and its construction ought to be started soon."

Kjeld Boye-Møller, managing director of Citytunnelkonsortiet i Malmö said: "We are working in order to elucidate and clarify the terms and conditions before the start of construction. In this manner the Citytunneln can be built with the proper level of quality, on-time, on-budget and with great regard for the environment." He estimates the five year construction will start in 2003.

The Citytunneln will form a continuation of the bridge over Great Belt between Zealand and Funen in Denmark and the Øresund Link between Sweden and Denmark.

Related Files
Location map
Route of Citytunneln project