BAM wins JV Antwerp rail contract

The Locorail consortium, which consists of BAM PPP (50%), CFE (25%) and Vinci Concessions (25%), has won the contract to construct the Liefkenshoek Rail Link in Antwerp, Belgium for rail network infrastructure manager Infrabel.

Locorail will be responsible for the design, construction and financing of the new railway tunnel and for its maintenance for 38 years. The contract value amounts to around € 840 million (US$ 1,08 billion).

The contract involves the design and construction of 16,2 km double-track rail link, consisting of 4,8 km of embankment, 4,2 km of open and covered trench, 1,2 km of existing tunnel (re-opening of the already built but never used Beveren Tunnel) and almost 6 km of double-bored tunnel with an internal diameter of 7,3 m.

The Liefkenshoek Railway Tunnel will provide a vital expansion of transport capacity between the left and right banks of the Port of Antwerp, which has experienced significant growth since the opening of Deurganck Dock.

Locorail will award construction to the Locobouw building consortium, which is made up of MBG, CEI-De Meyer, Wayss & Freytag Ingenieurbau and Vinci Construction Grands Projets (each 25% partners). CEI-De Meyer and Wayss & Freytag Ingenieurbau are operating companies of Royal BAM Group nv.

Work will start in late 2008 and is expected to be completed by mid 2013.