The Ouargla Tram – Algeria

Put into service in 2018, the Ouargla Tram in Algeria, nicknamed the ‘Tram at the gates of the Sahara’, has boosted the local economy and transport, thanks to a service covering both bus and train stations.

This is the second tram we have delivered in Algeria, following our work on the Algiers Tram, which opened in 2011. With 16 stations, this 9.6km line in the city of Ouargla links the new town (d’Hai Nasr) to the old town (Ksar) via the city centre.

A COMPLETE PROJECT MANAGEMENT ASSIGNMENT

SYSTRA was responsible for the entire project management of the Ouargla Tram. We have been involved in every stage of the project from design to execution on behalf of ‘Entreprise du Métro d’Alger’ (EMA), which operates the line. Since 2011, when we completed the detailed design studies in record time, until final trials in 2018, around 40 people mainly from our Algerian operations and tram department in Lyon have worked on the project. Paris-based experts in stations, major infrastructure, rolling stock and transport systems also contributed to this project.

EXTREME CLIMATIC CONDITIONS: A CHALLENGE OVERCOME

Ouargla is in the Algerian Sahara, which presents some very tough geotechnical and hydrogeological challenges. Consequently, we developed a method for analysing risks linked to gypsum, to identify and fill in cavities. Each building we designed, including the maintenance centre, has a special air-conditioning system and the track equipment includes a system for clearing away sand.

During the construction phase launched in 2013, we could count on the experience gained on other tramway networks to which SYSTRA has contributed in the Maghreb:

• Project Management for the Algiers Tram network in Algeria
• Project Management for the Casablanca Tram network in Morocco
• General Project Management for the Rabat-Salé tramway
• Preliminary studies and detailed design fo the Phase 1 of the Sfax tramway in Tunisia