The Orascom Construction alliance with Colas Rail and Hitachi Rail announced the signing of a contract with the National Authority for Tunnels (NAT) to upgrade Line I of the Greater Cairo Metro.
According to a statement by the company on Sunday, Line I of the Greater Cairo Metro extends 44 kilometers, connects 35 stations and transports more than 1.5 million people daily.
The project will increase the line’s efficiency and capacity, in addition to improving safety and performance levels.
The project will start in October and will last for 64 months, while maintaining the line’s continuous operation without interruption.
Colas Rail and Orascom Construction will upgrade the electrical power supplies and lines and electromechanical systems in stations, tunnels and on the railway track, along with associated civil work, according to the statement.
Hitachi Rail will upgrade the signaling, control and communications systems.
The company’s statement explained that the total value of the project is about 800 million euros, with Orascom Construction’s share representing 35 percent of it.
Financing for this project will be provided by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the French Development Agency (AFD).
According to the statement, this project enhances Orascom Construction’s position as a major player in building and developing metro line systems, which began with the first line of the Greater Cairo Metro in the 1980s, and continues on new metro projects such as the fourth line and the new regional metro project in Alexandria Governorate.
The company confirmed that this project is another important step that highlights its ability to implement infrastructure projects in the transportation sector, including projects to modernize metro line systems.
