CZECH infrastructure manager SŽ has announced it will hold a preliminary market consultation event as it continues to develop plans for the Koruna 38bn ($US 1.76bn) Prague-Smíchov - Beroun line, which will run predominately underground.
SŽ says the project is one of the largest transport projects in the country, and will create a new double-track line to directly connect Prague-Smíchov and Beroun stations, releasing capacity on the existing line between the stations for suburban services and improving capacity from Prague towards Beroun, Plzeň, Nuremberg and Munich.
A “meet the buyer” videoconference in Czech is scheduled for February 10, to be followed by a videoconference in English on February 11.
The project will include the construction of 25km-long dual bore tunnels at up to 130m deep. The majority of the tunnelling will be completed with tunnel boring machines (TBM), with conventional tunnelling methods also expected to be used. As there is not enough room at the portals to launch the tunnelling equipment, these will be launched from shafts along the route.
The project is currently in the design phase, with preparation of the documentation for the development permit due to be completed in 2023. The documentation for the construction permit is expected to be prepared between 2024 and 2026. Construction is expected to be completed between 2027 and 2036, although construction could begin in 2025 if a design and build contract is used.
SZ says the project is technically unique and it is interested in ensuring that the project best utilises the knowledge of a wide range of potential future contractors and suppliers experienced in long tunnelling, particularly in terms of the contractual terms, construction organisation and technologies used.
The consultation, which will be held online, is open to a wide range of participants, including any contractor who can demonstrate experience in the construction of bored transport tunnels longer than 500m. Interested parties must register by email by 23.00 on February 7.
Details on how to register for the event can be found on the project website.
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