FINLAND: Four consortia have prequalifed to bid for a contract to build the planned 23·5 km two-line light rail network in Tampere, the city council announced on January 19.
The consortia were scored out of a total of 160 points:
- Lemminkainen, Ramboll, Alstom, Insinöörit Suunnittelu (137·75/160 points);
- Gülermak (134·80);
- Destia, Siemens, Sito (98·70);
- VR Track, YIT, Pöyry (90·90)
The infrastructure construction costs are expected to come within the budget of €250m, with the national government expected to finance 30%. Construction of the first section from Hervanta to the city centre could start next year for opening in 2018-19, with subsequent phases to the central hospital and Lentävänniemi to be completed by 2022.
A further €83m has been allocated for the procurement of 26 bidirectional trams.
