China metro contracts awarded

Shanghai Tunnel Engineering has been awarded metro tunnelling contracts worth approximately US$107M in Shenzhen and Hangzhou, China.

Shenzhen Metro Corp awarded the contractor a US$70M contract to build a 4.8km long tunnel section of Line 2 of the metro in the west of Shenzhen, close to Hong Kong. The majority will be driven by TBM, the remainder excavated by cut and cover.

The second contract was awarded by Hangzhou Metro Group to design and build a section of Line 1 metro between Binjiang and Fuchun Street in Hangzhou. Feasibility studies for the entire Line 1 project were performed by Hong Kong’s MTR Corp and consultant Parsons Brinckerhoff.

The Shenzhen contract is part of the first stage of the Line 2 project. In total, the underground line will have 11 stations linking Shekou to the Window on the World theme park. The entire line is due for completion in 2010.

Another metro branch - Line 5 - is also planned by Shenzen Metro Corp. Construction is due to start later this year for completion also in 2010. The line will be in the north of the city with stations at Qianhai Bay, Bao’an, Nashan, Xili University City, Longhua, Wenjindu and Dongmen.