CFR Infrastructura announces the launch of the tender for the rehabilitation of the Palas tunnel in the port of Constanța and for the electrification of a line that will open a new access for freight trains to the country's largest port. The contract is worth 400 million lei, and the Palas tunnel was ready in 1900, but it has been unused for 34 years.
Palas Tunnel, brief history
CFR SA announces the publication in the electronic Public Procurement system (SEAP) of the notice of participation for the awarding of the design and execution contract for the rehabilitation and electrification of the CF 816 Palas – Port A line, including the consolidation of the Palas Tunnel.
The main objective of the project is to ensure the second rail access to Constanța Port and to increase the rail freight transport capacity to the port platforms.
The Palas tunnel, inaugurated in 1900 under the name “Carol I”, was designed by the engineer Anghel Saligny and constituted for several decades an essential railway connection in the Constanța area, explains CFR SA.
Since 1992, the tunnel has not been exploited due to water infiltration and structural degradation. Through the proposed project, the infrastructure will be consolidated and rehabilitated, with the preservation of the original constructive elements made of stone.
The estimated total value of the contract is 404,037,640 lei, without VAT, the financing being estimated to be provided from the state budget, in accordance with the applicable legal provisions.
The total duration of the contract is 32 months, structured in 6 months for the design, two months for the approval and approval of the documentation and 24 months for the execution of the works. After completion of the reception, the works will benefit from a guarantee period of 60 months.
What works will be done
The investment provides for the completion of complex works to modernize the railway infrastructure. These include strengthening and rehabilitating the existing tunnel, as well as extending it by approximately 200 meters in the direction of Palas station. The project also includes the rehabilitation and electrification of the CF 816 Palas – Port A line, in an electrified single line configuration, for the safe and efficient operation of freight trains, says CFR SA.
As part of the works, the signaling facilities will be modernized through the implementation of an Integrated Automatic Line Block (BLAI) and the adaptation of the centralization facilities in the Palas station. At the same time, works will be carried out for the collection and evacuation of water, in order to eliminate infiltrations and protect the railway infrastructure.
