TURKEY: Three prequalified consortia submitted technical bids on October 3 for construction of Istanbul's Marmaray tunnel, comprising a 1·8 km double-track submerged tube under the Bosporus together with 11·5 km of bored tunnel approaches on each side. Four groups had prequalified last year (RG 9.02 p465), but one subsequently withdrew.
The three consortia each combine Japanese and Turkish civil engineering contractors, reflecting the fact that the four-year US$2·5bn project is partly financed by the Japan Bank for International Co-operation. Hazama Corp is working with Ocean, Penta and Yuksel Insaat; Taisei Corp and Kumagai Gumi have teamed up with Gama and Nurol Insaat, whilst Obayashi Corp has formed a consortium with Yapi Merkezi Insaat, Kiska and Metis.
- Kayseri Municipality has invited bids by December 3 for construction of a 17 km light rail line and supply of 22 articulated LRVs each around 32m long.
