STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Nov. 8, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Skanska (Other OTC:SKSBF) (Stockholm:SKAb):
The Swedish Rail Administration has awarded the contract to complete construction of the tunnel through Hallandsas to the Skanska-led consortium Skanska/Vinci HB. The contract is valued at approximately SEK 3.7 billion. Skanska's share of the consortium is 60 percent and Vinci's 40 percent.
The contract is conditional upon the Environmental Court approving the Rail Administration's water leakage request and that Bastad Municipality grants building permission. Construction is expected to start in spring 2003.
The selection of the method and organization to ensure that the high safety and environmental demands are met and an open work form between the customer and the contractor are the key factors in the consortium's bid.
"It was the best bid overall and meets the very high safety and environmental demands placed by the Rail Administration," said Bo Bylund, General Director.
"We are proud about being assigned this trust," said Mats Williamson, President of Skanska Sweden. "It is proof that we have learned from prior mistakes. The level of environmental awareness in today's Skanska is very high and we are well aware of the risks. At the same time, we have great respect for the task ahead. Valuable expertise is also being provided through Vinci's participation in the project."
The tunnel construction will be carried out using an internationally proven method not used previously in Sweden. The method is a combination of tunnel driving using a tunnel boring machine (TBM) and lining with pre-cast concrete segments. The TBM carries out the entire construction process, which means that the tunnels will be lined and sealed directly behind the machine. As a result, water leakage is limited to a shorter stretch under less time, compared with other methods.
The method has been used with great success by Vinci, which is one of the world's leading companies in driving and lining of tunnels. Vinci has constructed 670 kilometers of tunnel during the past ten years. This corresponds to 50 projects of a size similar to Hallandsas. Among other projects, Vinci was involved in the Channel Tunnel and in the OEresund Link tunnel.
Since 1997, Skanska has worked intensely with developing the Group's environmental expertise and quality work. Among other effects, this has resulted in Skanska being the first international construction group to be certified in accordance with the ISO 14001 standard.
Skanska's demand on the selection of chemicals is very high and as a result it developed its own chemical database. For the fourth consecutive year, the respected American survey company Dow Jones has ranked Skanska as one of the best companies in the construction industry that best supports sustainable development.
"The environment and ethics are the guiding principles for how the Hallandsas project shall be managed," said Mats Williamson. "These are areas in which we will not compromise. We will also carry out the project in very close cooperation with all parties involved in accordance with the model that was used so successfully in the construction of the OEresund Bridge."
"Openness, respect and cooperation are key words," said Christer Moller, the Rail Administration's project manager for Hallandsas. "This applies to the relations between the customer and builders as well as the public."
The contract will be included in Skanska's order bookings as soon as the required permits are received.
For further information please contact:
Mats Williamson, President Skanska Sweden +46 70 514 23 91 Stig Eriksson, Project Director Skanska/Vinci HB +46 70 555 88 03 Christer Moller, Project Manager Swedish Rail Administration, Hallandsas +46 70 533 77 60 Peter Gimbe, Press Officer Skanska AB +46 70 543 88 38 Lisa Lindh, Information Manager Skanska Sweden, Southern Division +46 70 600 60 55
Information about the Hallandsas Project is available at www.skanska.se/projekthallandsas
This and previous releases can also be found at www.skanska.com
Invitation to press conference
The new contract between the Swedish Rail Administration and Skanska/Vinci HB regarding completion of the tunnels through the Hallandsas will be presented today, Friday, November 8, at a press conference at the Tunnel Exhibition Hallandsas, Bastad, at 10:30 a.m.
The press conference, held in Swedish, is also being broadcast at www. Skanska.se/projekthallandsas, starting at 11:00 a.m. A filed version of the broadcast will be available about two hours after the press conference is concluded. For access to a taped version of the press conference in broadcast quality, contact Agneta Ljunggren, +46 (0)8 753 88 70.
Telephone conference
A telephone conference, held in English, for analysts and the business press is being arranged at CET 1:30 pm (U.K. 12:30, U.S. Eastern 07:30) on. Representatives from Skanska and the Rail Administration will be available. To participate, please dial +44 (0)20 8240 8245, no later than five minutes before the conference begins. There will be a reply facility available for five days immediately following the telephone conference by dialing +44 (0)20 8288 4459, access code 659052
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