Pöyry awarded Swiss tunnel contract

expat network

Pöyry awarded Swiss tunnel contract

Pöyry have been awarded tunnel equipment engineering assignment for two tunnels on the A2 motorway, Switzerland.

The Swiss Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) has awarded the detailed engineering assignment for the planning work for the upgrading of operational and safety equipment in two major tunnels on the A2 motorway to Pöyry.

The A2 forms the main north-south motorway in Switzerland, connecting Basel with Chiasso. The Schänzli and Hagnau tunnels have been in operation for four decades, and are now being completely refurbished to meet modern standards and guidelines.

Pöyry has already been working on this comprehensive maintenance project, on the structural measures and ventilation systems in the tunnels. FEDRO has now awarded the detailed engineering assignment to Pöyry to upgrade the operational and safety equipment.

“Our extensive range of services enables us to assist with all phases of this kind of project, offering our expertise when and where required” says Marcel Winter, Managing Director, Pöyry Regional Operations, Switzerland. “We are delighted with the order, which comes as a perfect complement to existing commissions for the same facilities.”

Work on both tunnels, which are used by approximately 59,000 vehicles every day, will be carried out whilst the tunnels remain open. “This means that highly detailed replacement and migration planning is vital” adds Christian Eugster, Pöyry Project Manager. “In order to ensure safe uninterrupted use for road users, the old equipment must be kept running while the new equipment is constructed, tested, and finally activated.”

The order includes the technical refurbishment of the energy supply system, lighting, cabling and monitoring systems, signalling, communication and control technology, and tunnel ventilation management system for each of the tunnels. In addition, the project will install new equipment in the control centre above the Hagnau tunnel. Pöyry will be responsible for the tendering process, implementing planning, construction management and commissioning the equipment.

The value of the order is not disclosed. The order has been recognised within the Regional Operations Business Group order stock in Q3/2016.

Source: www.poyry.com

Moving Abroad Checklist

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

Are you taking family with you?

Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.