SYSTRA, as part of a joint venture with the Spanish firm, Getinsa, and Yüksel Project from Turkey has been appointed by TCDD, Turkish Railways, to supervise works to modernise two railway lines in the south of the country with a combined length of 426km, the Bogazköprü–Yenice and Mersin–Toprakkale lines. The programme is being financed with a loan from the World Bank.

The contract with TCDD was signed in March 2008. However, work on the project has only just begun, after the construction contract was awarded to Ansaldo STS last November. It is due to last 39 months.

The programme includes the installation of ERTMS signalling (level 1), upgrading of telecommunications, and alterations to platforms in some of the stations. The consortium is chiefly responsible for :

• Approval of the designs drawn up by the contractors,
• Inspection of works and monitoring of personnel employed by the contractors,
• Checking the quantity and quality of materials, both at the factory and on site,
• Monitoring schedules and progress,
• Supervising trials and assistance with the commissioning and launch of the system, and obtaining a safety certificate.

The review phase for designs has begun in Ankara. Following this, supervision of works will be carried out on the lines to be upgraded.

It is the first time that SYSTRA has been awarded a contract by a public authority in Turkey, a country which is undergoing rapid growth in rail and urban transport.