(The Associated Press circulated the following article on December 1.)
NEW YORK — Construction giant Skanska AB said Wednesday it received a contract worth 850 million kronor (US$126.6 million, euro95.2 million) from the U.S. National Passenger Railroad Corp. – better known as Amtrak – to renovate ventilation and safety facilities in the East River Tunnels in New York City.
Work will begin in January 2005 and is scheduled to be done by 2009. The contract will be included in its order bookings for the fourth quarter of 2004.
The ventilation system will be replaced and new air shafts added to ensure air supply and smoke ventilation. It will also improve access to and from the tunnels for emergency staff. The project is part of Amtrak’s program to improve the safety of tracks and tunnels.
The tunnels also accommodate Long Island Railroad trains and will remain in operation while work takes place.