Réseau Ferré de France, the French network operator, has awarded the contract for project management for the infrastructure of the Sartrouville – Epinay-sur-Seine section of the Tangentielle Nord line to a consortium headed by SYSTRA.

The TLN project (Northern Tangential Light rail) will create two tracks for rail passenger transport and use tram/train-type rolling stock. It will run parallel to the existing line known as the “Grande Ceinture” in the north of the Ile de France region. This section between Sartrouville and Epinay-sur-Seine is 12 km long and has 5 stations, one of which will be the new Sartrouville Val Notre-Dame station. Commissioning and launch of this section is planned for 2018.

The aims and objectives for the partners in this project, which received planning permission in 2008, are as follows :

• to meet the needs of passengers by providing a new line linking one suburb to another, with high volumes of passenger traffic, ease of mobility, a comprehensive transport network (connections with the RER, Transilien local trains, tramways and metros), a reduction in the use of road transport and accessibility for people of reduced mobility ;
• Grande Ceinture (dealing with noise blackspots, landscaping, management of buildings, removal of level crossings) ;
• to provide a sustainable solution for investors and local authorities (revitalising the region by means of public transport, ensuring that rail freight traffic continues to be viable and contributing to the city’s development policy).

The main role of the consortium will be to manage the project for rail infrastructure and associated tasks designed to manage and coordinate general organisation, costs, deadlines and ensure that the whole operation dovetails.

The consortium consists of the lead partner, SYSTRA, SETEC and the architects, ATTICA. SYSTRA will be chiefly responsible for leading the project, designing the route, track and earthworks and for the additional role of coordination and general management.