On 2nd October 2009 Bordeaux Urban Community (CUB) awarded the contract for project management of the Medoc tram-train to a consortium headed by SYSTRA.

30/11/2009

The project involves using the existing Bordeaux - la Pointe de Grave railway line to build a 7km single track tramway serving the towns of Bruges and Blanquefort with 4 or more intermediate stations. The tramway line will link up with the existing tramway network (line C) whilst Bruges and Blanquefort stations will provide connections with regional express trains (TER).

At its launch in December 2013, a tram service will operate on the line. However, eventually the infrastructure will have to evolve to accommodate a tram-train, as well as regional express trains and freight trains.

The complexity of the project lies in the need to take account of 3 different factors :

• The design has to be fully compatible with the specifications of Bordeaux Urban Community’s existing tramway network.
• It must incorporate the ability to evolve into a tram-train service.
• The project will involve carrying out work on railway tunnels and bridges in operation.

The consortium is organised in two teams, an Engineering team including SYSTRA - lead partner and manager of the project - COTEBA, INGEROP and ECCTA, and an Urban Development and Landscaping team consisting of BLP and SIGNES, responsible for the urban environment.

The contract reaffirms CUB’s confidence in SYSTRA and its partners. In fact, SYSTRA previously managed the construction of the 43km tramway network which is currently in service and, since July 2008, the company has been in charge of project management for 4 of the 5 lots for extensions to the network (phase 3) which will add a further 15km to the line. SYSTRA is working in association with the same partners for phases 2 and 3.