Press Releases 2003

November 21, 2003
North-south metropolitan railway in Cologne: Bilfinger Berger leading major project worth €390 million

Bilfinger Berger has been awarded the contract to build the core stretch of Cologne's new north-south metropolitan railway by Kölner Verkehrs-Betriebe AG. As the lead member of a consortium, the Company will be constructing a technically highly challenging tunnel structure in the densely developed city centre. The total value of the contract is € 390 million, Bilfinger Berger's share amounts to € 130 million.

The new stretch of underground railway, over three kilometres long, links the main railway station to the districts in the south of the city. The two tunnel tubes with a diameter of 7.3 metres will be driven using two tunnel boring machines; the six stations will be constructed using mining advance techniques. The line of the route involves driving under buildings of historic significance in Cologne's old city centre. The ground will consequently need to be stabilized using techniques such as high pressure injection and freezing. The new underground railway is due to open in 2010.

Bilfinger Berger is a leading tunnel construction specialist both in Germany and its global markets. Together with partners from Switzerland and Italy, the Company is currently constructing the central section of the Gotthard base tunnel, a contract with an overall value of € 740 million. In Sydney, work commenced on the Cross City Tunnel at the start of this year and is making swift progress. This privately funded toll tunnel with a contract value of € 520 million, being realized by a consortium led by Bilfinger Berger, will open in mid-2005. Bilfinger Berger has also been able to demonstrate its expertise in tunnelling in the turnkey construction of underground railway lines in Bangkok and Taipeh, as well as in the construction of more than nine kilometres of tunnels for the new high speed train in Taiwan.