Cité Tram, on behalf of the owner, SITCAT (Tours Metropolitan Communities Transport Authority), has chosen a SYSTRA-led consortium to manage the project to deliver the first line of the new tramway.

As head of the consortium, SYSTRA is in partnership with Safège and ECCTA for the infrastructure, Xélis for equipment and systems, and architects and urban development consultants Richez_Associés and Ivars&Ballet. The consortium has responsibility for the entire management of the project for this first line which will be 15.5 km in length and comprise 30 stops. The line will connect the north of Tours to Joué-lès-Tours and will require the construction of two major bridges, one to cross the ring road and a second across the river Cher, which is not part of the consortium’s brief. Parts of the line in the centre of the city and in protected areas along the banks of the Loire will be powered without an overhead catenary. The technology to be used has not yet been finalized.

Studies on the proposed line are to start in June 2009. Works will begin in June 2010, with the launch of the service planned for 1st September 2013.

To successfully manage the tramway project and meet the demanding schedule, the consortium, which already has a strong local presence with Safège and Ivars & Ballet, is setting up its offices and moving the entire project team to Tours, where it will be in close contact with the client.