Gouda/Bunnik, The Netherlands - Imtech NV (technical service in Europe) and GTI nv has acquired an order from the Betuweroute Project Set-up Team in the Netherlands (part of ProRail, the Dutch rail network management organisation) for the project management, engineering and installation of the complete technology for the management, security and communication in five tunnels for the Betuweroute. This is the 160-kilometre long two-track rail connection that shall be laid for freight transport between Rotterdam and the European hinterland. This order involves a total sum of almost 73 million euro of which both Imtech and GTI will account fifty percent.

The BeCIG combination, a joint venture between Imtech Infra and GTI Infra, will install all tunnel technical installations in three drilled tunnels (Botlek tunnel, Sophia tunnel and the tunnel under the Pannerdensch canal) and two traditional tunnels (the tunnel at Zevenaar and the tunnel under the river Giesen). An important part of the order comprises innovative sprinkler and fire-extinguishing technology. This technology provides for permanent detection and monitoring of the safety in the tunnels. The appropriate installations are automatically activated if there might occur an accident, such as fire or the release of hazardous or explosive chemicals. Not only is the fire extinguished, the concrete tunnel wall is also cooled thereby preventing any damage. BeCIG will be responsible for the project management, engineering and the installation. The engineering work will start in August 2004, after which the installation work will already begin in November. The whole project will be completed in March 2006, after which an extensive test programme will follow before the Betuweroute is opened in 2007.

Imtech is a tunnel specialist. In the recent past, Imtech was (co)responsible for the technology in the Caland tunnel, the second Benelux tunnel, the Heinenoord tunnel, the Wijker tunnel, the renovation of the Botlek tunnel and the Drechttunnel.

De core activities of GTI Infra cover the entire traffic and transport market in the Netherlands. The expertise of GTI Infra in new build, maintenance and management of tunnel technical installations are clear regarding numerous tunnel projects in the Netherlands. Recently GTI and the Department of Waterways and Public Works signed an innovative performance contract for the maintenance and management of six road tunnels in the Rotterdam region.