Switzerland inks contract for Tunnel

expat network

Switzerland inks contract for Tunnel

Rhätische Bahn has awarded the tender to build the 5.86km Albula Tunnel II (oldest tunnel in Switzerland) to a consortium led by Porr Suisse and also including Walo Bertschinger and Società Italiana per Condotte d’acqua.

The tender value of is CHF125m (£85m) and construction is set to begin in April 2015, with the tunnelling due to be finished by December 2017 and the entire project projected for completion in August 2019.

The current Albula Tunnel I is over 100 years old and overhauling it would be too expensive, as the rail services need to be maintained. Albula Tunnel I will then be converted into a safety tunnel.

“Albula Tunnel II will be built at 1,800m above sea level and is technically demanding because of the geology of the area,” said Porr CEO Karl-Heinz Strauss. “We are delighted that the Rhaetian Railway has decided to rely on the comprehensive expertise of Porr Suisse and its consortium partners.”

Source: Construction Index

Link: http://tinyurl.com/me3kjv9

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.