China: Berger Group of the USA has been selected to conduct a feasibility study of a 25 km light rail route linking the Shanghai metro network with the Songjiang development zone. One route option would run via Pudong airport.
France: A new station on RER Line A at Val d’Europe-Serris-Montévrain is due to open at the end of January, serving an office and retail development as well as a second Disney theme park due to open in 2002. The station has cost Fr78m, of which Fr26m has been provided by the Syndicat des Transports Parisiens and Fr6m by RATP.
Great Britain: London Underground has appointed a joint venture of Costain and Taylor Woodrow as main contractor for rebuilding King’s Cross station (RG 9.00 p526), expected to handle 82000 passengers in the morning peak when Section 2 of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link opens in 2007. Construction work is due to begin by the end of the year.
Around 30 firms have registered interest in the contract to build three extensions to the Manchester Metrolink network.
Netherlands: Widening of the western subway at Amsterdam Centraal station was completed on September 18, enabling the central subway to be closed while the north-south metro line is constructed beneath the tracks.
USA: MBTA of Boston has called tenders for the supply of 47 two-car metro trainsets for the Blue line, and for up to 24 cars for the Orange line. The latter requirement could be met by overhauling Hawker Siddeley vehicles currently operating on the Blue line.
Alstom is to upgrade a further 110 Series 2600 metro cars for Chicago Transit Authority. The $60m second option on a contract signed in December 1997 will bring the total number of cars refurbished at Hornell to 490.
Las Vegas Monorail Co has selected a consortium led by Bombardier to design and build a 6·4 km twin-track monorail incorporating an existing 1·2 km route. Bombardier will provide electrical and mechanical systems worth $200m, including 36 M-VI cars, and will operate the line for five years from 2004 under a separate $56m contract.
Tracklaying has begun for the 10·1 km South line in Sacramento, due to open in September 2003 at a cost of $222m.
A new station at Fenton Parkway on San Diego’s Blue line was officially opened on September 23. West of Qualcomm Stadium, it serves a retail development.
Sound Transit launched its inaugural pair of Sounder services between Seattle and Tacoma on September 18.
