Siemens makes tracks for Algiers

A consortium led by the German electrical engineering and electronics company Siemens is to build the first metro line in Algiers, Algeria.

The consortium includes Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles and Vinci Construction, with Siemens Transportation Systems France responsible for the overall project management, control and signalling systems, telecommunications, power supply, ticketing, tracks and control centre equipment.

The metro operator Entreprise Métro d’Alger (EMA) has given the consortium the order to construct the first section of Line 1 for a total value of €380 million. The Siemens share amounts to approximately €145 million.

The Spanish company CAF will supply the 14 metro trains, each of which will consist of six cars. The French company Vinci Construction Grand Projets will build the metro stations, install the tunnel ventilation and erect the administration building and depot.

The first section of the metro line in Algiers will run mainly underground, will be nine kilometres long and will have ten stops. Extensions are already being planned.