Solel-Boneh of the Shikun & Binui Holdings Ltd. (TASE: SKBN) group is the winner of the tender to construct the maintenance and operations center of the Tel Aviv light rail system, sources inform "Globes". The tender, estimated to be worth NIS 500 million, was published by NTA Metropolitan Mass Transit System Ltd., the government company managing the construction of the Red Line of the light rail system.
Solel-Boneh beat out Minrav Holdings Ltd. (TASE: MNRV) and Africa-Israel Investments Ltd. (TASE:AFIL) unit Denya Cebus. A fourth bid, by Italian company Impresa Pizzarotti, was disqualified on the grounds that it did not meet the threshold conditions. Pizzarotti is the partner of Shafir Civil and Marine Engineering Ltd. in digging the tunnel for the rapid rail link between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
The maintenance and operations center, designed by Amir Mann/Ami Shinar Architects and Planners and dubbed The Depot, will be built in north Petah Tikva. Construction is expected to take three and a half years, and will be on environmentally sound principles. Besides a shed for trains, the center will consist of a control center and management building.
At the same time, NTA is in the process of publishing a huge tender for digging the tunnels and constructing the underground stations, and next month will receive bids in the tender for the supply of rolling stock.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on May 29, 2014
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2013