PREQUALIFICATION BIDS were due at the end of March for construction work on the first phase of a 23 km light rail line in the Venezuelan city of Valencia. CA Metro de Valencia plans to announce a shortlist of approved tenderers in May. One contract covers a 2·3 km section of tunnel alignment with three 120m long stations, and the bidders are expected to arrange 100% financing for the work.

Electrical and mechanical equipment will be supplied by the US arm of Siemens Transportation Systems under a US$80m turnkey contract backed by Eximbank. This includes provision for the second phase, which would bring the total E&M package to US$150m.

Siemens will provide track, power supplies, fare collection and signalling for the initial 6·2 km section, together with 12 LRVs. These will be built at the Carson and Sacramento plants in California to the SD-400 design used by the St Louis Metrolink line.

STS Inc President Jimmy D Morrison confirmed on March 11 that the company was ready to start as soon as Notice to Proceed was given - this is awaiting final details of the financial package. Target opening date is ’around 2000’, he said. o

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