The Uijeongbu LRT

The Uijeongbu LRT was inaugurated on 29th June in the presence of SYSTRA Philippe Naudi, Executive Vice President, Business Development and Jean-Charles Vollery, Senior Vice President Asia-Pacific.

Uijeongbu’s first LRT , known as the U Line, was built under a public-private partnership with Consortium partners ‘South Korea’s Engineering & Construction Group’, E&C and Siemens. It comprises an 11.2km viaduct section that crosses the town from East to West, stopping at 14 stations including a connection hub with Line 1 of the Seoul metro. It is a fully automated LRT based on Siemens’ VAL system. The line took 60 months to build and the franchise is for 30 years.

SYSTRA holds a 4.7% stake in U-Line and has been responsible for the project management and construction supervision since 2006. SYSTRA has also been involved in preparing the line for operation and maintenance activities. Our team of experts will remain with the Project for the first year of its operation to assist the selected operator Incheon Transport Corporation.

Acquisition of South Korean firm, BnTech

In June 2012, SYSTRA acquired BnTech, a Seoul-based engineering company specialising in civil engineering structures. BnTech, is a long-standing partner of SYSTRA in East Asia, and well known in South Korea. The acquisition is in line with our ambition to become closer to our projects and clients throughout the world. Furthermore, acquiring BnTech will establish closer relations with the major South Korean civil engineering companies that are increasingly active in major turnkey or concession-based infrastructure projects, domestically and internationally.

BnTech was set up and managed by Mr Byun, formerly of the Hyundai Group. Mr Byun will remain as SYSTRA’s Technical Director for South Korea. BnTech will be become SYSTRA South Korea and will become a regional technical centre of excellence.

“This acquisition and our track record in South Korea confirms SYSTRA’s intention to establish a longterm presence in South Korea, a country with well-established technical expertise where we are keen to invest”, stated Philippe Naudi, SYSTRA’s Executive Vice President, Business Development.