Procurement process for construction of MAXIMA tunnels and shafts now starting

The Tunnel project is building the infrastructure that will transport wastewater from several municipalities to the rebuilt Sjölunda wastewater treatment plant. The procurement process is now starting, and the invitation for contractors to apply for prequalification to submit tenders has been published.

VA SYD is building the new wastewater treatment system MAXIMA, which consists of several parts.

─ After extensive planning, dialogue with the industry, and the decision on full financing, the procurement of the two tunnel projects is now being launched. In step one, we invite contractors to prequalify for submitting tenders, says Lars Landén, Project Director for the Tunnel Project.

The construction of tunnels and shafts will be carried out through two contracts – one for the Northern wastewater tunnel and one for the Southern wastewater tunnel. VA SYD is procuring the works as one package, allowing tenderers to submit tenders for one or both contracts. The best overall combination will be selected.

Favourable conditions for both parties

The contracts are technically challenging and complex in certain parts, and the Tunnel project is looking for the contractor or contractors best suited to deliver them. Each contract will be carried out as a design-build contract in close collaborative partnership with the client organisation.

─ It is important to us that the contracts are designed to be mutually beneficial and balanced from a risk perspective. In this way, we create strong conditions for safe and efficient execution with high quality, says Stefan Milotti, Deputy Project Director for the Tunnel project.

Contract awards expected at the end of 2027

VA SYD’s prequalification process is expected to continue until the end of 2026, when qualified contractors will receive the tender documentation enabling them to submit tenders.

─ The plan is to award the contracts at the end of 2027, allowing construction works to begin in 2028 and be completed around 2032, says Lars Landén.

MAXIMA is scheduled to be in operation by 2035 and will provide southwestern Skåne with robust and sustainable wastewater treatment for future generations.

Read more about the procurement process here

Find the invitation to apply for prequalification here

Facts about the MAXIMA wastewater tunnels

• The Southern wastewater tunnel will run from Turbinen in central Malmö to the Sjölunda wastewater treatment plant and will consist of a 5.5-kilometre main tunnel with an internal diameter of approximately 5 metres, and two connecting microtunnels with a total length of 2.4 kilometres.

• The Northern wastewater tunnel will run from Källby in Lund to the Sjölunda wastewater treatment plant, a distance of approximately 10 kilometres and an internal diameter of approximately 3 metres. A pressurised transfer pipe from Borgeby will also connect to the Northern wastewater tunnel.

• The tunnels will be bored at depths of 20–35 metres, allowing wastewater to flow by gravity to the treatment plant. A new large pumping station will then pump the wastewater up to the treatment facility.

• The tunnels are designed for a technical service life of 100 years.