By Lynda Myer
Cooperating with Bernasconi and De Luca, Implenia-led joint venture IBD wined the lot 2 Tunnel Ligerz contract from Swiss Federal Railways (SBB).
The CHF220m contract that involves a 2.1km long double-track tunnel, has (€229m/US$250.5m) value and includes concrete lining and railway technology. While almost 1.85km of the tunnel is due to be constructed by mining, around 250m will be cut-and-cover. The contract also includes four escape tunnels and a 114m-long viaduct for the exit of highway N5.
Using the ship, dug material is slated be transported and the existing railway line will be dismantled and redesigned.
With intention of eliminating the last railway bottleneck on the Jurafuss line between Lausanne and Biel, the project’s location in protected areas will present challenges. The region is listed in the Federal Inventory of Landscapes and Natural Monuments, and the villages of La Neuveville, Chavannes, Ligerz and Twann are part of the Federal Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites of National Importance.
