SYSTRA , leader of a consortium which also includes INGEROP, THALES Engineering & Consulting and ECCTA, has won the competition organised by Communauté Urbaine de Bordeaux earlier this year to select the prime contractor of the tramway extension (2nd phase).

SYSTRA is already prime contractor for the first phase which comprises 3 lines. Work on this phase started in February 2000.

The second phase will be an extension of these 3 lines. Total network length will increase from 24.7 km to 43.3 km and the number of stations will rise from 53 to 84. By 2006, which is the date scheduled for commissioning, Bordeaux will have the longest tramway network in France, built in record time.
The Bordeaux urban area will then benefit of a real multimodal network. Each tramway line will be connected with the others and with the other public transport networks. To further improve complementarity, the bus network will be reorganized ; footpaths and cycle tracks will be created, a new traffic and parking plan will be drawn.

288,000 travellers / day are expected (160,000 at the end of phase 1). 70 Alstom Citadis tram sets with low floor will run (44 on phase 1).

Bordeaux will benefit from a crucial innovation for the development of tramway lines in city centres : ground power feeding which allows to do without overhead wires. 11 km will be fitted with this system in phase 1, and 5 more kilometres in phase 2.

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