The ATAL-Degremont-China Harbour joint venture has secured a HKD$3.14bn ($404M) contract from Hong Kong’s Drainage Services Department for the first phase of the San Wai Sewage Treatment Works (STW) upgrade.The project will use the latest sedimentation technology, which is more efficient than conventional clarifiers and requires less space, saving almost 40% of the land. It will also deploy the BIM technology to visualise the plant’s design with 3D images.Drainage Services Department director Edwin Tong said: “The project comprises the design and construction of sewage treatment facilities with a daily treatment capacity of 200,000cb m to cater for the projected additional sewage flow due to development needs in the Northwest New Territories after 2020.“The works will also upgrade the treatment level of the STW to the chemically enhanced primary treatment level with ultraviolet disinfection facilities for reducing pollution loads to the northwestern waters.”Upon completion of construction works in 2020, the joint venture will undertake the operation, repair and maintenance of the STW for a contractual operation period of 15 years.
The Femern Link Contractors joint venture has won three conditional contracts for the Femernbelt transport link between Denmark and Germany.The contracts from the Danish government, which have a total value of €3.4bn, include the design and build of what is set to be the world’s longest immersed road and rail tunnel.One of the contracts covers the building of the portal structures, toll buildings, bridges and ramps, while the other two cover the construction of the immersed tunnel and the factory that will manufacture the precast tunnel elements.The tunnel will be 18km long and will connect Denmark’s Lolland Falster region with Germany’s Schleswig Holstein region, shortening the journey between both countries from one hour by ferry or a 160km detour by car to just ten minutes by car or seven minutes by train.The joint venture, which includes VINCI Construction Grands Projects, Per Aarsleff, Royal Bam Group, Solétanche-Bachy International, CFE and Max Bögl Stiftung & Co, is expected to start construction work in January 2018, subject to permits from the German Government.The link will take approximately eight and a half years to complete.
US-based automotive supplier Flex-N-Gate is set to construct a new $95M manufacturing facility in Detroit, Michigan.The new plant, to be built on a 30-acre site located on Detroit’s eastside in the I-94 Industrial Park, will supply parts to Ford Motor Company.The project has received two important approvals last week: the Michigan Strategic Fund board approved a $3.5M Business Development Program grant to incentivise the supplier to expand its Michigan operations, and the Economic Development Corporation of the City of Detroit (EDC) approved the sale of 30-acres in the industrial park to Flex-N-Gate.Flex-N-Gate owner Shahid Khan said: “Building a new plant from the ground up within the Detroit city limits will be a milestone moment for Flex-N-Gate, made possible thanks to our partnership and collaboration with Ford, the City of Detroit and the State of Michigan.”“Their collective support and vision to convert a neglected urban area into a manufacturing centre that will create hundreds of new, sustainable and well-paying jobs here in Detroit has been nothing short of spectacular. We are grateful and looking forward to seeing this project become a reality.”The project will create up to 650 new jobs in Detroit over the next three years, with the possibility of adding up to 750 total jobs at its full capacity.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing a €294M loan to enhance natural gas storage and distribution in Kazakhstan.EBRD will provide €242M to Intergas Central Asia to enhance the gas storage to its full capacity of four billion cubic metres (bcm) from the current limit of 2.6bcm, and €52M to KazTransGas-Aimak for the expansion and modernisation of the natural gas distribution network in several regions of Kazakhstan. The improvement will allow the utility to connect new households and industrial customers to gas supplies, while reducing the current dependency on coal-generated electricity.EBRD’s president Sir Suma Chakrabarti said: “We have worked consistently with Kazakhstan on projects which develop the green economy. “Few approaches create such immediate progress as a switch to cleaner sources of energy. Gas is much cleaner than coal and helps to complement renewable energy.“We are very pleased to start our cooperation with KazTransGas and to continue our enhanced partnership with Kazakhstan with these two major steps towards a sustainable future.”
Dragages Singapore has secured a €100M contract for the construction of two condominium complexes in Singapore.The contract has been awarded by United Venture Development, a joint venture between UOL Venture Investments and Singland Homes.Designed by ADDP Architects, the project will include two 40-storey towers, 505 apartments and a total floor area of about 46,000sq m. Both towers will measure 140m in height.Dragages Singapore, a subsidiary of Bouygues Construction, will utilise a modular construction technique based on a reinforced concrete structure, which will enable the condominiums to meet the Singapore authorities’ stipulation that 65% of the towers’ superstructure must employ PPVC — Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construction.Nicolas Borit, Bouygues Bâtiment International deputy CEO in charge of Asia-Pacific, said: “We are very proud that our customer, United Venture Development, has shown confidence in us and given us the opportunity to support them in carrying out this project in Singapore. “The experience in this market acquired by Dragages and the construction system chosen were decisive factors in winning this contract.”Construction work on the project is set to commence shortly and will last for three years, with handover scheduled for the end of the first half of 2019.
Infrastructure firm RCR Tomlinson has won two construction contracts with a combined value of $108M in Australia.RCR has been awarded a $73M contract by MMG Limited (MMG) for the construction of a processing plant at MMG’s Dugald River project.Under the contact, RCR will be responsible for project management, fabrication and supply of various structural steel, mechanical and E&I components, and the construction and commissioning support for a zinc and lead concentrator and associated plant.Construction work on the project is set to commence immediately, subject to MMG finalising financing arrangements, and the plant is expected to be complete in October 2017. MMG is responsible for the plant design and the supply of the key processing equipment.Meanwhile, Rio Tinto awarded RCR a $35M contract for the construction and commissioning of Rio Tinto’s Cape Lambert Power Station.The scope of work includes overall project management, construction and commissioning of an 80MWe open cycle power plant at Rio Tinto’s Cape Lambert iron ore operation in Western Australia. Rio Tinto will be responsible for the design and procurement of major equipment items for the power station. Work will begin immediately and the power plant is set to be complete in October 2017.RCR’s managing director and CEO Paul Dalgleish said: “The project for MMG builds on our position as a leader in the construction of major minerals processing plants. We are looking forward to working together with MMG and the local community to successfully deliver these construction works.“The Cape Lambert project is the first win of an improving pipeline of opportunities that we are seeing in the power generation sector. We are currently preferred on a number of other large power projects including gas and solar power stations that are under negotiation. We are pleased to continue our valued relationship with Rio Tinto through this project.”
Turkey-based Limak Construction has secured a contract from the Kuwait's Ministry of Public Works to build the new terminal at Kuwait International Airport (KIA).The company has submitted the lowest bid of $4.34bn to carry out the construction work on the new terminal. The contract includes the provision of maintenance for an additional two years.Upon completion, the new passenger terminal will have the capacity to handle 25M passengers annually and accommodate all aircraft types through 51 gates and stands. The project, designed by Fosters + Partners, will feature the latest technology and will be able to generate 12MW of solar power through 66,000 panels, to be installed on the terminal’s roof. Limak Group vice chairman Sezai Bacaksiz said: “The project is more than an airport, it is a link between the two countries; Kuwait and Turkey, between two economies, between two societies.“As a result of this link, new technologies will be introduced and transferred, new jobs will be created locally, planned local procurement will be in the hundreds of millions of dollars, local businesses will flourish, all while we train and equip Kuwaiti men and women of the future through the various education and empowerment initiatives that we have planned for Kuwait over the next six years and beyond.”The new terminal, aiming to achieve LEED Gold certification, is scheduled to be complete in six years.
After the tunnel’s first blast in the main shaft 17 years ago, the Gotthard base tunnel in Switzerland opens today. To celebrate the completion of the world’s longest rail tunnel, the country is holding an opening ceremony.1,200 guests have been invited for the festivities that are expected to cost €8M. German chancellor Angela Merkel, French president François Hollande and Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi are among the guests of honour at the ceremony. At the weekend, additional opening events are expected to attract 50,000-100,000 visitors.The longest tunnel — named after the patron saint of travelling merchants, St Gotthard— runs through the Alps, between Erstfeld, Uri, and Bodio, Ticiano. Trains using the €11bn rail tunnel won’t go into service until 11 December 2016, when it will be fully operational. Until then, test runs will be conducted at the rail line.When fully operational, 260 freight trains and 65 passenger trains will travel through the two-way tunnel each day, reducing the journey times between Zurich and Milan from more than four hours to just two-and-a-half hours. Travel through the tunnel itself will take just 20 minutes, with a stop at the control station of Sedrun.Gotthard has overtaken the 53.9km Seikan Tunnel in northern Japan as the longest rail tunnel in the world, demoting the 50.5km Channel Tunnel between Britain and France to third place.The Gotthard base tunnel in numbers: • Start of construction works: 1999• Length: 57.09km• Total length of tunnels: 151.84km• Diameter of rail tunnels: 8.5m• Highest elevation: 549m• Depth: 2,300m• Mountain rock excavated: 28.2M tonnes• Concrete used: 131,000cu m• Workforce: up to 2,600• Maximum train speed: up to 250kph• Cost: €11bn
Mott MacDonald and Sweco have won a £50M contract from Transport Scotland for the A96 Dualling road project in the UK.Under the contract, the joint venture will carry out route option assessment and detailed design work for the dualling of the 29-mile western section of the A96 between Auldearn and Fochabers next month.New Minister for Transport & Islands Humza Yousaf said: “This major design contract marks a further milestone towards the dualling of the A96 with all the investment and improvements that it will bring to local economies right across the north of Scotland.“Road users will not only enjoy the benefits of improved journey time and reliability, better connectivity between destinations but also, crucially, improved road safety for all those who use this key artery connecting two of Scotland’s economic hubs.“In addition, this contract will also provide a huge boost for the local and national economy, with the successful bidder securing steady work for years to come and many more opportunities for small and medium enterprises through subcontracted work.“We also remain on track to finalise the preferred option for the A96 Dualling Inverness to Nairn (including Nairn Bypass) scheme, with draft Orders due to be published later this year.“Along with our ambitious plans to build over 80 miles of new dualled road on the A9 between Perth and Inverness, delivering the new £1.3 billion Queensferry Crossing over the Forth, and the £500M M8-M73-M74 improvements in Glasgow, this contract is yet another example of the significant investment the Scottish Government is making in transport infrastructure right across Scotland.”The A96 dualling is part of the Scotland’s trunk road upgrade project between Inverness and Aberdeen, to be finished by 2030.
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has awarded an AED703M ($191.3M) contract for phases 4 and 5 of the Dubai Water Canal Project.Phase 4, which will cost about AED307M ($83.5M), is part of infrastructural works for property development on both sides of the canal, including roads and utility lines.Estimated to cost AED396M ($107.8M), phase 5 will link the Business Bay Canal with the Dubai Water Canal and terminate at the Arabian Gulf.The canal stretches 3.2km from the Business Bay Canal up to the Arabian Gulf via the Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Wasl Road and Jumeirah Road.The scope of the work will include the construction of quay walls using precast concrete slabs along the stretch of the canal, the completing and diverting of utility lines and key services, and the removal of impacted services.It will also include the treatment of hyper-saline water from the Business Bay Lakes, the removal of sand barriers in the course of the canal, and the construction of three marine transport stations.RTA’s director-general and chairman Mattar Al Tayer said: “Projects to be constructed on the waterfront will be served by modern water transport means, and result in improved quality of water in the Dubai Creek.”Both phases of the project are expected to be complete by the end of September.
Muse Developments, in collaboration with Network Rail, has submitted a planning application for a £185M mixed-use project in Manchester city centre.The proposed project will be located on a 2.5-acre site on Corporation Street, which is currently a surface-level car park, and will include three new buildings; a 13,900sq m, Grade A, eight-storey office and two residential buildings.The 20- and 25-storey residential buildings, part of Network Rail’s commitment to unlock publically-owned land to build new homes, will contain up to 520 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. The development will also include a gym, 24-hour concierge, communal residents’ lounge, cycle storage and a roof garden. Muse Developments’ director David Burkinshaw said: “This is an exciting time for this area of Manchester as a number of key developments are now coming to fruition.“New Victoria presents a unique opportunity to deliver a landmark development next to the city centre’s prime leisure and retail attractions and one of the North West’s main transport hubs. New Victoria offers an unparalleled location and an outstanding development opportunity.”Muse is working with architect Sheppard Robson and Arup on detailed design proposals for the project.
The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames has given the go-ahead for a £400M project to redevelop the Eden Walk Shopping Centre in London.The plans, submitted by British Land and the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), include 380 homes, office space, a new shopping centre, a cinema, public car parking, the creation of public spaces and the remodelling of memorial gardens.Councillor David Cunningham, cabinet member responsible for regeneration at Kingston Council, said: “This development is a major boost for Kingston and its future prospects. Attracting over £400M of investment into our town centre marks a significant vote of confidence in the future direction of our borough and provides a regenerated new shopping centre as well as much needed housing. “We will be working hard with the developer over the coming months to ensure they continue the very good work they have done on engaging with Kingston residents as they seek to build this scheme.”
UK-based Balfour Beatty is set to commence construction work on 14 primary care centres across Ireland.The €140M project has achieved financial close and is being delivered by a consortium, which includes Prime, Balfour Beatty and InfraRed Capital Partners Limited.The new centres, to be built over a 27-month programme, will be located in Galway, Kildare, Limerick, Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo, Waterford, Tipperary and Wexford.Balfour Beatty bid director Tzvetelina Bogoina said: "Balfour Beatty is a trusted partner in the healthcare sector having delivered over £2bn worth of hospitals and care centres over the past decade."We look forward to handing over the primary care centres which will make a positive difference to local communities in terms of health outcomes as well as added social value outcomes in the creation of local employment and local supply chain opportunities and student placements and taster days throughout the construction phase.”
The opening of the world’s longest rail tunnel is set to take place as planned on 1 June 2016.The CHF12.2bn ($12.3bn) Gotthard base tunnel, which measures 57km in length, runs under the Swiss Alps and is designed to reduce travel times across Europe. Construction of the tunnel started in 1999, 17 years ago, and since then 28.2m tonnes of mountain rock has been excavated during the tunneling works. Trains will be able to travel in the tunnel at speeds of up to 250km per hour, reducing the journey times between Zurich and Milan from more than four hours to just two-and-a-half hours.
Barratt is partnering with Segro to develop Enfield Council’s £3.5bn Meridian Water redevelopment in Enfield, UK.The project includes the construction of 10,000 homes, a new water station and a full range of neighbourhood facilities.The Meridian Water site has already been given the housing zone status, allowing the development team to provide new housing in less time.Barratt London will lead the residential portion of the development, while Segro will create the urban logistics and industrial space.Segro's business unit director for Greater London Alan Holland said: “Being selected as the development partners with Barratt London for the regeneration of Meridian Water is great news.“We have a longstanding relationship with the borough with a number of industrial schemes already up and running, bringing real jobs to Enfield and the wider region.“We have a proven track record in delivering successful places for business to thrive, creating employment opportunities and helping attract inward investment to the area helping to create a sustainable community alongside the residential offering.”
AECOM subsidiary Tishman Construction has been selected to provide preconstruction and construction management services for Brookfield’s One Manhattan West office development in New York.The $2.1bn project will feature a 71-storey office building with a gross area of 195,000sq m.One Manhattan West will anchor the Northeastern corner of Brookfield’s 650,000sq m Manhattan West development, which is being built around a two-acre tree-lined park.Designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, the building is targeting LEED-Gold certification. AECOM chairman and CEO Michael Burke said: “We are proud to help create an iconic tower that will be a key part of making the Far West Side the city’s newest vibrant neighbourhood.“Brookfield’s Manhattan West is a transformative mixed-use project that will bring much-needed residential and office space to New York City — and we are excited to play a role in making it a reality.”
Israel-based infrastructure firm Shikun & Binui has secured financing for the Cundinamarca 010 Toll Road Project in Colombia.The $640M project, part of a multinational plan to improve the country's road infrastructure system, includes the financing, construction, rehabilitation, operation and maintenance of a toll road that will span over nearly 154km.Shikun & Binui's subsidiary SBI, will provide construction services for the project agreed with the Government Infrastructure Authority at the Colombian Ministry of Transportation (ANI). The concession has tenure of 25 years, with an option to extend up to 29 years.Shikun & Binui chairman Moshe Lahmani said: "The financial closing of the project in Colombia is an additional significant milestone in realizing the Group's international strategy to expand its international infrastructure activity, and diversify its global operations."The completion of the financial closings in the USA and now in Colombia will contribute to the Group's record backlog. We will continue to compete for new mega projects in line with our strategic targets."
Balfour Beatty has won a £130M contract from Highways England for the construction of a planned lorry area near the M20 in Kent, England.The scope of the contact will involve the development of the proposals during the early contractor involvement (ECI) phase of the project and will also cover the construction of the lorry area subject to a decision to proceed from the UK government. The company will use latest Building Information Modeling (BIM) approach to deliver the project that is part of the overall £250M lorry area announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in late 2015. The project will have a capacity to accommodate about 3,600 lorries and is expected to provide a relief to the Kent road network when services across the English Channel are disrupted and lorries are unable to travel to the continent.Balfour Beatty Group CEO Leo Quinn said: “Balfour Beatty’s expertise in major infrastructure projects and long standing relationship with Highways England will be crucial for the safe and successful delivery of this project.“The M20 lorry area will provide much needed relief to Kent’s road networks while supporting local economic growth and development.”The project is expected to create up to 150 jobs during peak construction and is anticipated to be partially open by mid-2017.
Toyota Motor has announced plans to construct a new JPY49bn ($445.5M) production plant in Malaysia.To be constructed in Klang, Selangor, the new facility will have a production capacity of 50,000 vehicles annually. The company believes that the facility is the next step in its efforts to develop competitive plants using the latest production technologies such as freely extensible lines and compact painting booths. Toyota’s managing officer Tatsuro Takami said: "This plant is another of our efforts to create new, competitive plants, following the decisions made last year to create a new plant in Mexico and a new line in China, and the opening of two new engine plants this year in Indonesia and Brazil. "In addition to introducing cutting edge production technologies, we will dedicate ourselves to developing the personnel who support the making of ever-better cars. By doing this, we will provide high quality vehicles to Malaysian customers through UMWT."
A consortium led by Astaldi has won a €400M contract from the European Southern Observatory (ESO) for the construction of the dome and telescope structure of the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT) in northern Chile. The consortium, known as the ACe Consortium, also includes Cimolai and the nominated sub-contractor EIE Group.The E-ELT, touted to be the largest optical/near-infrared telescope in the world, will feature a main mirror measuring 39m in diameter. The project is being built in Cerro Armazones, a 3,000m peak about 20km from ESO’s Paranal Observatory. The scope of the contract includes the design, manufacture, transport, construction, on-site assembly and verification of the dome and telescope structure. Astaldi’s chairman Paolo Astaldi said: “This project is truly visionary, both in what it represents for the field of astronomy and for construction and engineering.“Astaldi and our project partners, Cimolai and EIE Group, are extremely proud to have been selected by ESO through their call for tender to help make their vision a reality.“Astaldi is renowned for delivering its best-in-class technical skills, quality construction and strong execution, and we will put the full force of our core strengths behind this project. It is with great excitement that I sign a contract of such astronomical ambition.”