ON THE BUILDING SERVICES ENGINEERS’ PROFESSIONAL DAY THE METRO WAS VISITED ALSO – JAZZ CONCERT CLOSED THE CULTURAL EVENT SERIES OF DBR THIS YEAR
The Coordination Association of Hungarian Building Services Engineers has organized the Day of Hungarian Building Services Engineers the 14th times this year. In the frame of the event besides the professional conferences, awards ceremonies and building services engineering professional exhibition, this year not only the traditional Building Services Engineers’ Ball provided an opportunity for cultural relaxation, since yesterday after the presentation on the building services engineering curiosities of metro 4 the invitees could also take part in an unordinary jazz concert organized with the support of the Buderus Hungária Kft. at the Móricz Zsigmond circus station, which is now structurally completed.
THE M4 SANTA CLAUS WILL COME TO VISIT TWO BUSY LOCATIONS THIS YEAR AS WELL - HE WILL GIVE CANDY TO CHILDREN AND POSTCARDS TO THEIR PARENTS
Santa is dressing green again in Budapest. The Santa of metro 4 will surprise the pedestrians with little gifts at two busy locations, the Móricz Zsigmond circus and the Kálvin Square, from 7 am to 10 am, and from 3 pm to 6 pm. With regard to the approaching weekend the kids may meet him today, i.e. on Friday.
IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS METRO 4 IS MEDIUM PRICED - ITS BUDGET INCREASED DUE TO WELL KNOWN ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS
Over the last year several such international examples of metro constructions appeared in the national press, which were false, based on incorrect data and lacking actual technical parameters. The DBR Metro Project Directorate has in all cases responded to these press news that were misleading the Hungarian citizens, despite of this the public awareness noted only that the Budapest metro construction is more expensive, than any similar foreign investment, and its budget is unrealistically high, and even tripled in recent years. Contrary to all these – as the DBR has already drawn attention several times to that – in international relations in terms of the average price the metro 4 project, as proceeding under a completely built area, deeply driven, being built a little more than 3 years in very adverse ground conditions, is not the cheapest, but belongs to the middle field, and its budget has increased in the past 10 years primarily due to the involved associated projects.
BORING MACHINES OF METRO 4 ARE WORKING ON A SECTION WITH FULL OF CHALLENGES
South TBM of metro 4 could be launched towards Rákóczi Square three weeks ahead of schedule, and it now passed the line of the tunnels of metro 3, and its north pair will embark soon as well. The length between Fővám Square and Kálvin Square has been completed with the best pace up to date, and for the twice as long current section the experts plan only eight weeks either. Of course, provided they don’t have to face unexpected difficulties. In any case, it is not going to be an easy section: in addition to the crossing tunnels, diverse ground conditions should be expected, and some old buildings will require special attention, as well.
VIENNA METRO IS NOT CHEAPER THAN THE BUDAPEST ONE – CONSTRUCTION COSTS OF METRO 4 FALL IN THE INTERNATIONAL MIDDLE FIELD
From time to time, the press posts news about sensationally cheap foreign metro constructions, which cost only a fraction of the Budapest metro 4 investment. The DBR Metro Project Directorate attends to all these news, and up to date in all these cases it turned out that the numbers referenced under the examples are incorrect. Unfortunately for most of the time, until we obtain the appropriate, credible information, the incorrect statement has already spread all over the press, and it is almost impossible to refute. We would like to prevent a similar case through our statement as follows.
THE UNDERPASS AND THE TRAM STOP AT FŐVÁM SQUARE IS HANDED OVER, SO AS OF SATURDAY MORING TRAM No2 CAN TRAVEL OVER THE WHOLE LINE AGAIN
Residents of Budapest could take over the pedestrian underpass at Fővám Square, which was built in one and a half years in the frame of the surface projects associated with metro 4. The spacious and modern underpass, which also includes the new stop of tram No 2, was handed over for the passengers on Friday afternoon by Gábor Demszky, the Mayor of Budapest and Gusztáv Klados, the Project Director of DBR. Rehabilitation of the Vámház boulevard was completed by the beginning of this week, another traffic lane could be opened at Kálvin Square, and motorist and cyclist can use the Múzeum boulevard again, as well. The metro project has arrived to an important milestone, by the narrowing of work sites and good progress of surface works the metro builders are hoping that the days of those living and travelling in the environment of the construction would become easier.
IMPORTANT MILESTONES ON THE SURFACE AS WELL: THE VÁMHÁZ BOULEVARD IS COMPLETED, SO AS THE NEW LANE AT KÁLVIN SQUARE AND PARTIALLY THE MÚZEUM BOULEVARD
In connection with the surface works of the metro project until now mostly closures and traffic restrictions may have been heard of. From now on, however, more and more associated surface projects will be completed, and respectively where it is possible – despite of the extended tunneling works, simultaneously with the progress of station building works – the narrowing down of the work sites may commence. In the frame of the associated surface projects of metro 4 the reconstruction of the tram track on Kiskörút ended last December, and by today the rehabilitation of the Vámház Boulevard is completed, a new traffic lane could be opened at Kálvin Square and the motorists and cyclist may drive on both sides of the partially renewed Múzeum Boulevard again.
SOUTH TUNNEL BORER ARRIVED TO KÁLVIN SQUARE
The south TBM of metro 4 has reached Kálvin Square in one month, and its north pair will arrive to the station at the end of October. In the frame of a several month negotiation series on the program of the tunnel works BAMCO consortium now led by STRABAG has submitted the works program for the finishing of the Pest side tunnel section. According to the document the consortium can build the tunnel section between Fővám Square and Baross Square in about 50 weeks instead of the originally undertaken 22 weeks, in other words it takes more than double time. DBR is forced to note the announcement, but cannot accept it, thus all additional costs arising from the delay due to the extended tunneling works will be devolved on BAMCO consortium. In the last couple of days DBR's programming team has incorporated the new works program into the overall project program, and with consideration of the contractor's accumulated delays at the Buda side also the operation test originally planned in the last quarter of 2011 now may realistically be due 10 months later, in the autumn of 2012 only. The negotiations will continue, of course.
ARTSTATION: THE TUNING HAS BEGUN
ALL DAY UNDERGROUND FESTIVAL AT THE NÉPSZÍNHÁZ STREET STATION
DBR’s cultural series of events of this year has arrived to its last stage: with the name of ArtStation the Suppré/Neopaint.hu is organizing an all day street art festival at the metro 4 Népszínház Street station built by the consortium comprising Bilfinger, Porr and Vegyépszer on Saturday this week.
HERE IS THE FIRST WORK SITE HANDED BACK TO CITY RESIDENTS
This morning the metro builders handed over to the children of District 11 that modern playground, which was refurbished in the framework of surface projects in relation to the construction of metro 4. On the event Imre Lakos, chairman of the Committee of Urban and Environmental Management of Budapest, Gyula Molnár, mayor of Újbuda, and Gusztáv Klados, project director of DBR were also present. However, the light is not seen at the end of the tunnel yet, but after those closures the time of handing back areas may begin.
ABOUT THE ROLE OF GUSZTÁV KLADOS
Gusztáv Klados has worked on the constructions of metros 2 and 3 of Budapest, and then in Calcutta at the metro construction there, and later as a chief building manager at the construction of the Channel Tunnel beneath the English Channel between England and France. Subsequently, he worked as a building manager in Lesotho, South Africa, where he was building a section of the northern water transport tunnel, and then he acted as the chief building manager for the metro lines 2 and 3 of Athens. From here he went to Singapore, where he directed the works of the deep tunnel sewerage system. For five years he was the senior project manager of the gigantic Smart Tunnel of the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, and then after an airport express metro as a short detour in New Delhi he returns home to Hungary in June 2008.
SOUTH TUNNEL BORER OF METRO 4 EMBARKED TOWARDS KÁLVIN SQUARE
South TBM of metro 4 left Fővám Square station this morning and according to plans can arrive to Kalvin Square by the middle of October, while its north pair will follow it in two weeks. Simultaneously with the several weeks of maintenance the tunnel builder moved its TBM servicing equipment to St. Gellért Square, so the logistics headquarters of the construction of Pest side tunnels will be here from now, up until the boring machines reach Baross Square next year.
KARST-WATERS OF GELLÉRT SQUARE WERE PRESERVED BY THE METRO BUILDERS – THE NEW METRO WILL BE GREEN NOT ONLY IN COLOR
The metro construction is a European standard project in terms of environment protection also. Key aspects are among others the protection of the karst-waters of Gellért square as well as that no protected trees should be removed for the project. It is rare even in international relations that during a metro construction as much money and energy are devoted by the builders to environment protection as for metro 4.
BOTH METRO TUNNELS ARE COMPLETED UNDER THE DANUBE
The north tunnel boring machine also reached the Fővám square station at noon today, by this the construction of both tunnels are finished across the three hundred meters stretch of the metro line under the Danube. A few decades ago it still took nearly a year for the metro builders to make their way through under the river. Today it was possible in hardly more than a month, moreover without difficulties, which is a remarkable professional achievement. While the north TBM was going through the final centimeters, amid the grandiose rings of the south tunnel the building managers, and the representatives of organizations and municipalities concerned by the project as well as the press were first to walk through from Buda to Pest more than 30 meters deep under the riverbed.
On the event arising great interest, besides Mr. Imre Ikvai-Szabó, Head Mayor Deputy, and Mr. László Becker, Metro Officer, being present on behalf of the host Metropolitan Municipality, two State Secretaries of the Ministry of National Development and Economy, Mr. László Varju and Mr. Sándor Burány were also present. As expressing completion of the Buda side tunnel construction and proceeding at the Pest side Mr. Imre Lakos, Deputy Mayor of Újbuda symbolically handed over the baton to Mr. Ferenc Gegesy, Mayor of Ferencváros, and finally Mr. Gusztáv Klados, Project Director of DBR and Mr. Christian Genschel, Project Manager of BAMCO, gave a professional report on the actual status of the project.
FOUNDATION STONE OF THE KELENFÖLD VEHICLE DEPOT OF METRO 4 IS PLACED
THE GROUP OF BUILDINGS WITH A FLOOR AREA OF NEARLY 20,000 M2 WILL BE BUILT FOR TWO YEARS
Construction works of the Kelenföld vehicle depot of metro 4 are commenced: the investor DBR and the contractor Swietelsky together laid the symbolic foundation stone of the large area building group this morning. The eminently modern facility, which includes the dispatcher centre of the metro line also, will be completed in two years and its main task will be to provide overall service to metro 4.
Comments on the VEKE writing of “Analysis of the additional sections of metro line 4”
The above writing was posted on the website of VEKE (Urban and Suburban Transportation Association) on 6th July, when it was made public that the bringing forward of the Flower market extension and postponing of the two stations of the Thököly road section of metro 4 are investigated.
Briefly we describe the advantages, which are resultant of the earlier handover of the west extension (section III.).
NORTH TUNNELING SHIELD IS LAUNCHED ON ITS WAY UNDER THE DANUBE AS WELL
Monday afternoon the north TBM of metro 4 was also able to set off from Szent Gellért square on its way under the Danube towards the Pest side, to where its south pair had arrived exactly a week ago. Prepared for the specific soil conditions under the river the professionals carried along a special instrument brought from Hamburg on the plant, it allows almost instant cleaning of the cutting shield in case clay gets stuck on it.
Tunnel boring machines used for metro 4 are one of the most state-of-the-art plants of the world, they could be continuously adjusted by the professionals to the actual soil conditions, but unexpected events may still occur. Recently it took almost one and a half weeks for the experts of the tunnel building company to clean under caisson pressure the TBM’s cutting shield from the stuck clay. As necessary the instrument used now will be able to reduce the time for this cleaning process to two to three days only.
SOUTH BORING SHIELD OF METRO 4 REACHED THE PEST SIDE
Within six weeks, following a short changeover, but without major technical difficulties, the south TBM of metro 4 made its way through to the Pest side. At the Fővám square station the platform tunnels towards the river bed were already finished in April, thus the station could receive the plant smoothly. Its north pair can also set off on the three hundred meter long stretch under the river in a few days, and once it arrives, it will become apparent how the Contractor will be able to program the pest side tunnel building.
After a maintenance period the south TBM that just broke in was able to start the construction of the section under the Danube – planned to last for 4 to 6 weeks then – at the 18th of May. Working under the river is always a greater challenge than usual, but it confirms the accuracy of the preliminary soil investigations that the tunneling work could proceed nearly with the same pace and safety here too, than in normal conditions and under built-up surface. There were only a short section whereat clay stuck into the cutting shield of the TBM, but the professionals finished with cleaning in a few days.
A HUNGARIAN ROCK BAND, AMNESZTIA, TOOK OVER METRO 4 YESTERDAY
Metro 4 as being constructed accommodated another concert on Friday, 26th June: this time the rock band Amnesztia choose an unusual venue to its second album release concert. At the Népszínház street station the “platform rock” was pounding nearly 20 meters deep underground with Tamás Takáts guest starring.
A real “underground” feeling welcomed the visitors coming to the concert of Amnesztia at Friday night in the metro 4 Népszínház street station built by Bilfinger Berger, Porr and Vegyépszer, where the modern rock music got the main role following the concert of Keep Floyding at Rákóczi square reminiscent of the atmosphere of the 70's. To the Amnesztia’s own organized event the DBR Metro Project Directorate and the Contractor were pleased to provide the grandiose scene for the band to present its second album “Without fear” in real extreme circumstances.
TBM IS BORING AGAIN UNDER THE DANUBE
This morning the south TBM was launched again under the Danube. Problems causing the south TBM to stop last week were eliminated by the experts of the tunnel building company; they cleaned the TBM’s cutting shield from the material stuck to it under caisson pressure, and proceed with excavation of the cohesive clay material with injecting a special diluting agent, thus tunnel building under the Danube can continue safely. Ideally the tunnel can reach the Fővám Square station next week.
The tunnel building machine of metro 4 is one of the most state-of-the-art methodology options used on the World now, which allows the experts to continuously adjust the machine to the extremely diverse soil conditions under Budapest. Such necessary technical breaks can occur in the future as well.
LAST HUNDRED METERS OF THE SECTION UNDER THE DANUBE WILL BE HARDER THAN THE PREVIOUS PART
As closing to the Pest side the south TBM of metro 4 has got into a fault zone and it has to work now in clay with a consistency different than that of the previous part, and the TBM has to be adjusted to the new condition. At the construction of the Buda side after leaving Szent Gellért Square there was a short section under the Danube with similar consistency clay, and the TBM was able to proceed with works following a cleaning. Likely from tomorrow experts under caisson pressure will clear the cutting shield that withdraws to approximately half meter, now they are being prepared.
Until last Friday the south TBM covered approximately 190 meters of the 300 m stretch under the Danube, then approaching to the Fővám Square station it got into a fault zone, where the different structure clay material likely stuck into the TBM’s cutting shield. In the environment of fault zones the soil conditions are always vary from the average. Situations similar to the one now can occur anytime during a metro construction, the experts are prepared for these; moreover the tunnel building machine of metro 4 is one of the most state-of-the-art methodology options used on the World now, which allows the experts to continuously adjust the machine to the extremely diverse soil conditions under Budapest.
WRITE4GOLD GRAFFITI WORLD COMPETITION IN BUDAPEST THIS YEAR
Ten teams, four categories, one theme and 150 meters of painted surface may be summed up as the final of the Central Europe’s official graffiti world competition held on Saturday that gives home at Népszínház street station of Metro 4 on the board set around the building area. About 60 creators from five countries and hundreds of interested people are expected at this event in name of the legal street art on 6th of June according to NeoPaint.hu. The best graffiti artists from Croatia, Czech Republic, Serbia, Slovakia and Hungary will compete on Saturday on Köztársaság Square after Rome, Moskow, Liverpool, Vienna, Stettin and Halle regional finals, Budapest organizes the Write4Gold graffiti final of the Central Europe’s world competition in 2009. After the Millenáris Park and the shipyard’s island Mokka Cuka, the organizers had picked up as the place of competition the set of board – the legal graffiti wall handed earlier - around the Népszínház street station built by Bilfinger, Porr and Vegyépszer.
WITH HELMET IN METRO 4
Motorcycle wondering conference was held by Harley Davidson cyclists at the end of May with this inscription “Development of transport in Hungary”. The three days event was opened by fifty motorcycles and there were around one hundred of visitors at the Bocskai road station of metro 4 where they were presented with the history and future of the metro building, and with the technological curiosities.
The “tender motorcyclists” have organized several similar tours home and abroad on interesting subjects, this year’s event is about the railway, shipping, flying and of course about the metro.
The first station of the wondering conference on Friday was the metro 4 and the Bocskai road station where the personnel of the Swietelsky contractor have shown the almost 91% finished station to the visitors after the professional tour, then they walked through the tunnel to Móricz Zsigmond Square with safety escort.
THE BEST TUNNEL BUILDING EXPERTS ARRIVED TO BUDAPEST
About one thousand experts arrived on the weekend to Budapest from 53 countries to the Congress Centre in order to get in known with the Hungarian civil engineering projects and to share the professional experiences among themselves in this year’s Tunnel Building World Congress. The four days Conference has given the possibility to present simultaneously the applied technologies and the methods that facilitate the safety of the tunnels to be built at one section under the Danube and the built-in surface of metro 4.
Hungary was awarded by the World Organization of the professional tunnel building, the International Tunneling and Underground Space Association with the organization law to hold this year the Tunnel Building World Congress. According to Kocsonya Pál information president of the Hungarian Tunnel Building Association and that of the organizational committee of the Congress, the world’s most eminent experts from 53 countries have arrived in Budapest to share their experiences among themselves, and to get in known with the Hungarian tunneling projects – amongst other things the grandiose tunnel system of Bátaapáti, the underground sections of M6 Motorway simultaneously with the tunnels of metro 4. In the life of a two million metropolis, the transport especially, that of the rail mounted transportation system development is inevitable. Due to the high density of building the demand for mitigating the surface load - more present as a trend –has diverted the attention worldwide toward the tunnel building over the last few years.
SERVICING OF THE BORING MACHINE DEPLOYS TO GELLÉRT SQUARE, BUT BUILDING WORKS OF THE EXIT COMMENCE TOO
For the building works of the metro 4 tunnel section under the Danube and at the Pest side, the equipment servicing the TBM will move from Etele Square to Szent Gellért Square, where building of the station and the excavator shaft will continue as well, and building of the exit will commence too. The works will require closure of the Műegyetem quay way from 25th May 2009 to expectedly September 2010. However, the lower quay way will be useable all along during the period of closure.
Works of the Szent Gellért Square station built by BAMCO consortium and utility replacements were completed with the closure of the Műegyetem quay way. Following the completion of the top floor slab in 2007 the upper quay way with 2x1 lanes was handed over to the traffic, but in the summer of 2008 during the eight weeks closure then the building of the excavator shaft progressed significantly. Building works to the excavator shaft and exit of the station are carried out by SWIETELSKY Magyarország Kft.. From the surface a wide stairway will lead to the entrance hall of the underpass, and from there the station will be accessible by an excavator. The pedestrian area at the surface will receive decorative paving. Accessibility for handicapped passengers will be provided by the elevators planned next to the fence of the University of Technology. From here the station’s gallery level may be accessed on an ancillary stairway as well, from where the underground garage planned under the Műegyetem quay way will be accessible through a pedestrian passage.
METRO GATES OPENED UP: WE GIVE YOU THE HELMET, YOU BRING YOUR CARDIGAN
This year again Metro 4 joined the “Urbitális Majális” show-series: DBR Metro Project Directorate of BKV Zrt., Strabag and Hídépítő opened up the gates of the constructions at Szent Gellért Square and Fővám Square, where the residents of Budapest guided by professionals were able to view the tunneling shields under the ground by 30 m and from below the Danube river-bed as well as the two deepest and most grandiose stations of the new metro line.
In 30 days nearly 200 cultural programs are awaiting the visitors at the “Urbitális Majális” this year, at the center of which the Danube gets the attention this year, and most of the shows and site visits are located close to or on the river. From 1st to 31st of May the “Big City Festival” allows an insight to the backstage of the big city life this year as well, with helping the people of Budapest to step out of everyday life for some moments and see their city from a completely different angel. The organizers enthused over the success of last year’s event anticipated several ten thousands of visitors to the program series.
THE PICTURE OF M4
About the financing
The overall budget of the first section comprising 10 stations, which relieves the downtown area and connects Kelenföld with Baross Square, i.e. south Buda with north Pest, is equivalent to 353 milliard Forints, which already includes inflation of recent years, associated surface investments, costs for the vehicle depot and trains, and the contingencies from the European Union as well.
Financing is the joint task of the Hungarian State and the city of Budapest with a proportion of 79 and 21%. The Cohesion fund aid request for the project refers to this firs section costing 353 milliard Forints for now. The accountable project cost is 292 milliard Forints, regarding that the aid refers to payments after 20th December 2006 only. Under the aid application the beneficiary city of Budapest requested a maximum amount of 224 milliard Forints from the European.
TUNNEL BORING MACHINES OF METRO 4 SET OFF ON THE WAY UNDER THE DANUBE
This morning the south TBM of metro 4 has started building the tunnel section stretching under the Danube. Expectedly it will work for 4 to 6 weeks under the river, and as soon as it gets over to the Pest side, its north pair will set off too. In the following weeks the equipment servicing the TBM will move from Etele Square to Szent Gellért Square, where in parallel the building works of the station will continue as well, and building of the exit will commence too.
TBM's preparation of several weeks for the stretch under the Danube has ended, which was slowed down by the dispute with the tunnel builder BAMCO consortium so occurred in the meantime. Maintenance of the machines was finished by 18th May following the restart of works, thus the south TBM could set off to one of the most exciting sections of the new metro line. Boring under the river is a bigger challenge than usual, but based on the preliminary soil investigations the tunneling work will proceed with the same pace and safety here too, than in normal conditions and under built-up surface.
RÁKÓCZI SQUARE STATION HAS GIVEN PLACE TO CHARITABLE CONCERT
Unique charitable concert was given more than 20 meters depth under the ground by the Keep Floyding band on Friday evening at the Rákóczi Square station of metro 4 to be built. The initiative was favoured and supported by Swietelsky, DBR and the British band who brought the music into our country and has offered the total amount of money from the ticket income to the disabled Reménysugár band of Dombovár. The total amount of money gathered was 200 thousand Hungarian forints.
The fabulous idea of the concert that was held under extraordinary backstage has arose last autumn when talking about the underground theatre, and when the Tribute band of Budapest was looking for a unique place to the spherical music of the legendary British band for the concert held in spring, the station building project company of the mother company, the Swietelsky Magyarország Kft. claimed to support the initiative at its own expense. The Pink Floyd held its concert in the Pompeii Hall of ruin in the 70s, Keep Floyding did also want to held its concert in a similar grandiose place to play their most-known pieces. The 400 tickets were sold just over 24 hours.
DECISION TO BE MADE SOON ON THE AID APPLICATION CONCERNING METRO 4 – CONTRACTS ARE CONCLUDED ACCORDING TO THE REGULATIONS OF THE PUBLIC PROCUREMENT LAW
Soon positive decision may be made about the aid application of metro 4 of the Cohesion Fund. Negotiations are still ongoing, there are not official numbers yet, however, based on the news previous comments were proved to be unsubstantial, as per which the project may not receive the aid or only a fraction of the required amount. The EU’s Committee responsible has asked more information in the process of decision-making on the aid application about contracts made before the project became a European project in order to decide whether they also satisfy the requirements of the EU competition law. If not, the amount may reduce the total amount of the aid. But the fact is that these contracts were also concluded according to the regulations of the public procurement law, in compliance with the national rules in force.
The financing of the new metro line is ensured without the support, it is a matter of common concern of the Hungarian government and the city of Budapest in 79 and 21% percentage. The aid application of the Cohesion Fund shall apply to the first section that costs 353 milliard Forints. Eligible project cost is 292 milliard Forints having regard to the fact that the aid applies only to the payments after 20th December 2006. In the aid application, the beneficiary city of Budapest has asked from the European Union maximum 224 milliard Forints.
EXCLUSIVE EXHIBITION OPENED AT THE BOCSKAI ROAD STATION OF METRO 4
Exclusive exhibition opened with the initiative of Újbuda Municipality and its organization at the Bocskai road station of metro 4. Within the frame of the initiative realized with the support of DBR Metro Project Directorate and SWIETELSKY Magyarország Kft. contractor to the station, the district as being well concerned by the project would like to present the most interesting moments of the metro construction through the paintings and photos of five artists. BKV – joining the exhibition – pictures the background and future of the metro transport: beyond the photographs of the Underground Railway Museum of Deák Square, the visitors can also have a look behind the stage on the building of the station with the help of experts.
The exhibition was opened this afternoon by Molnár Gyula mayor of Újbuda Municipality of Budapest, District 11, then Klados Gusztáv, the project director of the DBR greeted the initiative, Fridrich Gyula, the project manager of Swietelsky Magyarország Kft. gave a speech on the building station, last but not least Sulyok Miklós, historian of art has presented the works of art. The exhibitions regarding the archive tableau of BKV and its future viewer can be seen at the entrance, the paintings of Takáts Márton, as well as, photographs of Németh András, Vanik Zoltán, Görög András and Tóth Gyula can be viewed this evening in a „separate room” of the station, the future work room, then from tomorrow, i.e. from 1 to 17 of May, between 12 and 6 pm. every day. The exhibition can be approached from the pedestrian underpass of Fehérvár and Bocskai road intersection.
TUNNELING WORKS OF METRO 4 CONTINUE – PARTIES SETTLE THE DISPUTE WITHIN CONTRACTUAL LEGAL FRAMES
BAMCO consortium continues works, after DBR Metro Project Directorate retained its previous position at the last day of negotiations held with participation of the leaders of BKV and the city of Budapest. As this morning the Project Supervisory Board comprising the leaders of the city of Budapest was informed by DBR that the parties agreed to settle the disputed issues within the legal frames provided by the contract, and the tunnel builder forthwith takes steps needed to proceed with works as soon as possible.
BAMCO consortium led by the French owned Vinci and comprising the Austrian Strabag and the Hungarian Hídépítő suspended tunnel building and other works done by the company on 14th April, after its claim of 35 milliard Ft was not fulfilled by DBR Metro Project Directorate within the 30 days timeline noted under its letter. The Client deemed the claim being without merit, and called upon the consortium to proceed with works immediately, otherwise envisaged termination of the 62 milliard Ft contract.
NEITHER THE CITY OF BUDAPEST NOR DBR CHANGE THEIR PREVIOUS POSITION – AND ASK NOT MORE EITHER, THAN THAT BAMCO UNDERTOOK UNDER ITS CONTRACT
Upon the request from the Head Mayor, managers of the DBR Project Directorate gave an account about the status of negotiations with BAMCO consortium to the leaders of caucuses at the five-party meeting on Budapest’s budget this morning. Opinions of the city of Budapest, BKV and DBR are still unambiguous: BAMCO consortium led by the French Vinci – abandoning its illegitimate attitude – should forthwith proceed with works. DBR again calls upon the tunnel builder to continue works done by the company and to use available legal options in lieu of threats and breach of contract and to confirm that whether it still complies with the financial and technical requirements undertaken at the time contract signing. The Client’s interest is still that that tunneling works should continue as soon as possible, but not for any costs, and if BAMCO does not comply with the instruction, DBR is ready to terminate the contract. By this otherwise DBR is still not asking more than to complete works undertaken in the contract in lieu of unrealistic claims. According to the involved international experts, if parties settled all disputed issues, it is eventually conceivable that BAMCO would owe to the Client.
BAMCO consortium led by the French Vinci and comprising the Austrian Strabag and the Hungarian Hídépítő suspended tunnel building and other works done by the company on 14th April, after its unrealistic claim of 35 milliard Ft noted under its ultimatum was not fulfilled by the DBR Metro Project Directorate. At the very same day the Client called upon the tunnel builder to proceed with works, and it has not been satisfied by the consortium up to date. DBR has been continuously examining the ever growing number of claims of BAMCO, by which the tunnel builder slowly want to double the contractual price of 62 milliard Forints undertaken originally. DBR unambiguously dispute that the stopping has merit: the amounts of claims and in most cases their reference ground also are unrealistic, moreover unfortunately the consortium is not attempting to settle the dispute through the legal way undertaken by it as well.
DBR CALLS UPON TUNNEL BUILDER TO PROCEED WITH WORKS – STOPPING AGAIN BY BAMCO CONSORTIUM LED BY THE FRENCH VINCI IS ILLEGITIMATE
BAMCO consortium led by the French owned Vinci Construction with members of the Austrian Strabag and Hungarian Hídépítő suspended tunnel building and other works again today. Background of the issue is that the consortium submitted a claim with an unrealistically high amount of nearly 35 milliard Forints to DBR, while the whole work should be completed from approximately 62 milliard Forints as per the contract. Position of DBR is clear: the claim is deemed being without merit, therefore DBR calls upon the consortium to proceed with works. Provided the consortium does not perform within 14 days, DBR will be forced to terminate the contract. Irresponsible attitude of the consortium led by the French company compromises the jobs of several hundreds of Hungarian workers, thereby the living of several hundreds of Hungarian families.
As known, in its latest ultimatum BANCO Kkt. comprising Vinci, Strabag and Hídépítő demands some 35 milliard Forints, and gave 30 days for full compliance, otherwise envisaged termination of its contract of nearly 62 milliard Ft. DBR has been continuously examining the ever growing number of claims, of which almost 190 were submitted by the consortium, which is more than all the other claims together submitted by all the other contractors. The Company’s step now especially with the attitude used and the unreasonable as well as unfeasible conditions exceeds all limits according to the opinion of the Client.
METRO 4 HAS AN INDEPENDENT SUPERVISING ENGINEER
In the last weeks several such commentaries – independent from DBR Metro Project Directorate – emerged, which as per our opinion unreasonably questions technical information provisions in connection with metro 4. Metro 4 has an independent supervising Engineer, who provides necessary technical and legal information in all cases, thus with special reference to contracts made in connection with metro 4. Besides the open and increased communication to the public, technical information is getting to the competent bodies through several other channels too, thus to the General Meeting of Budapest, and to its committees. In the name of transparency on the website of DBR nearly 40 contracts can already be found, otherwise not violating business secrets.
According to the contract made between the Municipality of Budapest and BKV Zrt. on the tasks of the investor for the first section of metro 4, BKV Zrt. with the agreement of the city of Budapest has to employ an independent supervising Engineer in order to control investor’s decisions and completion of the project, and this is also required by the credit contract made between the European Investment Bank and the city of Budapest. In compliance with the changed financing conditions, preparations are concluded, and the independent supervising Engineer’s public procurement procedure is in process.
PLATFORM TUNNELS AT FŐVÁM SQUARE WAITING FOR THE TUNNEL BORING MACHINES – IF LEGAL DISPUTE SETTLES WITH THE TUNNEL BUILDER, THE NEW METRO WILL BE COMPLETED BY 2011.
Today in several media outlets ambiguous news was released about the finish of metro 4, and respectively the anticipated date of its handover. Therefore herewith we inform the residents of Budapest about the expected finish and present status of the project. Building works of the platform tunnels connecting to the Fővám Square station of metro 4 is finished, and it allows BAMCO to start test borings necessary to build metro tunnels under the Danube. By this the Danube side station has reached a completion degree suitable to receive the TBMs. This morning journalists with a joint guidance of DBR and Hídépítő visited the structure-ready station and the tunnel section stretching under the river, built with a special methodology. This also means that if the legal dispute with BAMCO consortium settles, then by 2011 the new metro can be physically completed and the system-start as well as the test run may commence.
On both sides of the Danube ensued from the close proximity of the river and buildings, two narrow station designs were the valid option, and platform tunnels stretching out of these will allow the train to stop with its full length at the future station. As known some experts and designers as the works progressed deemed the chosen building methodology risky, and therefore continuous negotiations began with the DBR Metro Project Directorate. Eventually the negotiations between DBR and Hídépítő Zrt., which in the meantime became Hungarian owned, about the building methodology of platform tunnels stretching under the Danube, concluded favorably for the city of Budapest and hence building of the station could proceed safely before the arrival of TBMs, and respectively for by scales less costs than with the artificial island option proposed by the French experts.
WHAT TRUE IS TRUE – FACTS ON METRO 4
In reaction to the misinformation due to inaccuracies or purposely done in the past days DBR Metro Project Directorate collected the issues frequently occurring, but, even in spite of the immediate and full information release, appearing differently almost everywhere. DBR has never stated that it builds the World's best metro with the fastest and cheapest way, but its opposite is not true either. In Hungary metros have not been built for decades, sufficient know-how was absent for a long time, preparations were slower than anticipated, but the present staff of experts can handle the technical hardships, and by now implementation works proceed with good pace and on high level everywhere, regardless of that that some companies submit unrealistic claims.
It is not true that the World’s most expensive metro is being built. Some metro constructions are cheaper, some are more expensive than the one in Budapest (diverse soil conditions, surface crowded with old buildings, presence of the Danube, etc. are raising the costs here). Not only Rome and Athens, but also France, England, Germany, Japan and the United States have had more expensive metro lines built recently, considering the average price per km, metro 4 belongs to the upper third of the middle field (if we could say that, it is 12 on a scale of 20). If we want to take objective examples, not only the Madrid and Mallorca case exist as exemplarily circulated on the Internet. (And by the way for Madrid the prices shown are that of a project calculated with net prices without metro carriages and as built by connecting existing network elements, and for Mallorca it is a small capacity beach tourist-vehicle, which after handover was needed to be closed down right away due to water leakage.)
NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE ON THE ISSUE OF ADDITIONAL DEMANDS
In its newest letter, in addition to its extra demand of 13 million Euros paid earlier without prejudice to later account, now BAMCO consortium formed by Vinci, Strabag and Hídépítő demands some 115 million Euros. This one and its other demands slowly make nearly the amount, for which the company has originally undertaken the construction of the tunnel, the TBM launching shaft and the station at Szent Gellért Square. For months DBR has been continuously negotiating with the consortium, continuously assessing the ever growing number of additional demands. Under another ultimatum BAMCO gave 30 days for the full completion, otherwise envisaged termination of its contract of 207 million Euros. According to the opinion of DBR this attitude, in addition to its being unethical and immoderately exaggerated, is likely scratching the limit of breach of contract.
BAMCO’s method and its step now are not new, as last summer the company already planned to suspend its works, provided its additional cost demands, exaggerated also, submitted to the Client were not fulfilled. For months DBR has been assessing the company's continuously increasing additional works claims, those with merit were paid, even the earlier disputed amount of 13 million Euros were transferred without prejudice to later account. But claims without merit will still not be fulfilled by DBR, not even upon the influence of ultimatums, during the negotiations DBR acts with strongly bearing in mind the interests of the city of Budapest and taxpayers. DBR is still open for negotiations within reasonable and acceptable frames, but BAMCO's attitude now is already exceeding all limits that are usual in business affairs.
TUNNEL BORING MACHINES (TBM) AT HALF WAY: TUNNELING WORKS IN BUDA COMPLETED
The south TBM also “broke into” the future Szent Gellért Square station of metro 4 on Monday afternoon, 16th March 2009, to where its north pair already arrived at the middle of January. By this half of the first 7.5 km section of tunnels is completed. Arrival of the TBM means the end of the Buda side tunneling works, too.
With the north TBM the BAMCO consortium in hand with the authority's consent had already started building works to the remaining tunnel stretch at Buda side at the beginning of January and by the middle of the month reached the platform tunnel linking to the Szent Gellért Square station. The south TBM could be launched following this only, but prior to its arrival the Contractor still had to finish the internal walls of the concerned station part.
ABOUT THE SAFETY OF METRO 4 CONSTRUCTION
For the time being we know about the exact causes of the collapse of the Cologne Archives building only as mush as published in the press. According to the news the tragedy occurred adjacent to a tunnel section, which was being built with a methodology somewhat different than that of Budapest. For metro 4 the experts use open construction method only for the building of station structures and train-turning facilities of end-stations, but these stations as well as other facilities are built with the most state-of-the-art methodology. In case of tunneling works it is the same. Tunneling method with a TBM is definitely amongst the safest ones. It is needed so, as the alignment of metro 4 runs almost all along under built up surface and old buildings.
With regard to the 10 stations for 9 locations the structure building works have already been completed with no problems, and also for the Baross Square site this process will end soon. Not long ago TBMs finished the Buda side tunnel building with almost no trouble. We are waiting only for the inside wall of the three layers to be also finished after the supporting structures at Gellért Square within a few weeks, and for the TBMs to be able to get into the station structure.
GROUND WATER LEAKAGE A NATURAL ACCOMPANYING PHENOMENON
A few centimeters of surface subsidence and ground water leakage are natural accompanying phenomena of every civil engineering works. These hardly have visible signs inside the station, they calmed down as works speeded up, but they are continuous associated phenomena.
A stretch of as much as 7.6 km has been completed of the tunnels. The south TBM may break into the Szent Gellért station in the first half of March, while the north one has already arrived in January. However, TBMs can be drawn into the station after the internal wall building works are finished, for it is the responsibility of the general design and build company completing the station to ensure maximum safety in the environment affected by works.
ACCIDENT HAPPENED ON THE METRO CONSTRUCTION AT BAROSS SQUARE – One of the Constructor's machine operators died
This afternoon at work an accident happened to an employee of one of the Contractors to metro 4 at the Keleti Railway Station. A piece of a provisional concrete structure under demolition fell and hit the machine operator as leaving his machine, he died instantly.
SOUTH TBM OF METRO 4 DEPARTED ALSO -BUDA SIDE TUNNEL BUILDING NEARING ITS END
On 26th January 2009 the south tunnel boring machine (TBM) of metro 4 has departed also towards Szent Gellért Square, to where its north pair arrived a week ago. Once internal walls of the station and its linking platform tunnels are finished, they may be pushed into the Danube side station by the Contractor in the second half of February according to the plans.
Tunnel building BAMCO consortium in hand with the consent from the National Transport Authority (NTA) obtained at the middle of last December launched the north TBM at the beginning of January – with respect to the Holiday season – and by the middle of the month reached the platform tunnel linking to Szent Gellért station. Following this could the south TBM begin to build the last section of Buda side along the railway connecting tunnel length, which earlier evoke dispute over its building method, but now approved and being built with subsequent enlargement.