Vinci Wins Contract for Tunnel in UK

expat network

Vinci Wins Contract for Tunnel in UK

VINCI Construction Grands Projets and Bachy Soletanche Ltd (VINCI subsidiaries), in a joint venture with Costain, have signed the contract for the East works package of the Thames Tideway Tunnel with Bazalgette Tunnel Limited, the consortium of investors that holds the concession for the project. The contract is worth €858 million (£605 million).

The works package includes the construction of two sections of tunnel, a main tunnel (5.5 km) and a connecting tunnel (4.6 km) for combined rainwater and wastewater to the east of London. Located between 45 and 65 metres below ground, the two tunnels will be excavated using slurry pressure balance tunnel boring machines. The main tunnel will have an interior diameter of 7.20 metres, while that of the connecting tunnel will be 5 metres. The East section also includes the construction of five large shafts (diameters of between 17 and 25 metres), maritime works on the Thames, structures connecting with the existing wastewater collection system and electromechanical works packages.

A project optimisation phase (design, methods, etc.) is starting immediately. The launch of works on the site is planned for 2016, with delivery scheduled for 2024.

The East works package is one of three making up the Thames Tideway Tunnel, a programme that calls for the construction of a total of 25 km of tunnels. The Thames Tideway Tunnel is needed to tackle the issue of discharges of untreated sewage into the river and ensure that London’s sewerage system is fit for the 21st century.

This contract follows on from that for the Lee Tunnel, which VINCI Construction Grands Projets and Bachy Soletanche started building to the east of London in January 2010.

Source and Link: The EPC Engineer

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.