On 1st February 2006, following a national and international call for tenders, Entreprise du Métro d’Alger (EMA) awarded the contract to manage construction of the priority section of the Eastern line of the Algiers tramway to a consortium of SYSTRA and RATP-Développement.

The Eastern line of the Algiers tramway

The line runs eastwards from the Carrefour du Ruisseau situated to the east of Algiers city centre. It will serve the new Bananiers district, Houari Boumedienne University, Bordj el Kiffan centre and will terminate at Dergana, close to Algiers airport. The priority section, to which the contract relates, runs as far as Bordj el Kiffan.

The tramway line project has two key aims :

• To improve travel in the eastern suburbs of Algiers by promoting public transport and reorganising traffic.
• To upgrade areas through which the line passes, as the tramway will provide a dynamic for new projects along its route.

Specifications of the priority section

The priority section between Carrefour du Ruisseau and Bordj el Kiffan is 16.3 km long and will comprise 30 stops, including 6 transport hubs. 7 structural engineering works are planned, but one of these – a bridge crossing the SNTF railway lines – is already under construction.

A 42,000 m² depot and control centre is due to be built at Bordj el Kiffan at the eastern terminus of this section.

The expected volume of passenger traffic is 150,000 passengers a day. The service is planned to come into operation in the first quarter of 2009.

The role of SYSTRA and its partners

The project management contract is due to last just over 4 years: 39 months from its commencement to the launch of the service, and a further 12 months during the guarantee period leading up to final completion. SYSTRA will lead the SYSTRA-RATP Développement consortium in charge of managing the project.

SYSTRA’s role will be:

• to check conformity and approve the detailed preliminary studies,
• to check and finalise the specifications for the call for tenders for construction works and purchase of equipment,
• to provide assistance in drawing up the final contract(s) for works and equipment,
• to ensure conformity of works schedules,
• to supervise and inspect the work being carried out and equipment supplied and to propose procedural rules,
• to provide assistance with the purchase and installation of equipment as well as temporary assistance when the line comes into operation.

RATP Développement will be in charge of operational aspects for each of these roles.

The consortium will also be supported by an Algerian consulting firm, « Assistance à la Construction » for all activities relating to urban development, buildings, and tram stops.