Algiers Metro
| Algiers Metro مترو الجزائر العاصمة |
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| Background | |
| Locale | Algiers, Algeria |
| Transit type | Rapid transit |
| Number of lines | 1 |
| Number of stations | 10 |
| Operation | |
| Began operation | November 2011[1] |
| Operator(s) | EMA |
| Technical | |
| System length | 9.2 km (5.7 mi) |
The Algiers Metro (in Arabic: مترو الجزائر العاصمة) in Algiers, Algeria, is a transport project dating from the 1970s that was designed to address the need for mass transport caused by the city's growth. Formally launched in the 1980s, the project slowed down due to financial difficulties and security issues in the 1990s. The project recommenced in 2003.
The first phase of Line 1 - "Haï el Badr" - "Tafourah-Central Post Office", spannning 9.2 kilometres (5.7 mi) and 10 stations, has been completed and was brought into service in October 2011.[1] Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika attended the ribbon cutting opening ceremony on October 31, 2011.[2] The Algiers Metro opened to passengers on November 1, 2011.[2]
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[edit] History
During the 1970s, the promoters of the Algiers rapid transit subway project envisioned a 64 km (40 mi) network. The project was officially inaugurated in 1982, with technical studies completed in 1985. Authorities retained a German company and a Japanese specialist for building the network. The collapse of oil prices in the 1980s considerably affected the Algerian state's ability to continue funding the project. Authorities discussed the possibility of folding the subway development programme into other mass-transit projects, but eventually decided to continue with the original Metro program - albeit slowly.
In 1988, Algeria awarded construction contracts to two national companies COSIDER and [1] - both not experienced in running large urban transit development projects. Construction encountered financial and political difficulties, with only four stations constructed in 15 years. Moreover, the Algiers soil is difficult to dig in, and the city's topography is irregular. Work did not advance significantly for many years.
In 1994, a first 450-meter long section, called Emir-Abdelkader, was completed. Another 650-meter section, connecting the Central Post Office to Khélifa-Boukhalfa was completed soon after. In 1999, the Metro of Algiers Company (EMA) invited international companies to participate in a tender offering, resulting in two new contractors being added to the project: French Systra-Sgte for project management, and Agéro-German GAAMA for construction and completion, within 38 months, of the civil engineering tasks and earthworks. In 2003, benefiting from the return of economic stability, the government increased funding and introduced a new organizational and operational structure. In January 2006, further changes were introduced to the project, with integral system development handed to Siemens Transportation Systems. This included the installation of fixed material, signals and electrification. Vinci was responsible for civil engineering, and the Spanish company Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) was to deliver a new set of rolling stock, including 14 trains of 6 cars each. The network will use the Trainguard MT CBTC technology, already implemented on line 1 and 14 of the Paris subway.
[edit] Timeline
| Date | Opening |
|---|---|
| 2011-11-01 | Tafourah (Grande Poste) – Haï El Badr |
[edit] Building site in progress
With a length of 9 km, the first phase of line 1 includes 10 stations, connecting Haï el Badr (Bourouba) to Tafourah-Large Post office (Algiers-Center).
- The section El Hamma - Haï El Badr, with its 4 stations and 17 other works for ventilation and cables was carried out within 38 months. Civil engineering work and rail laying were officially completed on June 30, 2007.
- The installation and the welding of tracks, a 23 km length (until the deposits) were started in April 2007 by the French company South-western Travaux France (TSO), the building site must be delivered in November 2007.
- The first car must arrive to Algiers before December 2007.
[edit] Extensions
Invitations to tender were launched for the realization of a section of 4 km between Bachdjarrah and El Harrach composed of 4 stations and one viaduct of 250 m above the access road to the Ouchaïah Wadi motorway. It is scheduled to open in 2012.
- The Gaama group which carried out the first section quoted 250 million euros including/understanding the realization of a multimode station (subway/train/taxis) on the level of the railway station of El Harrach.
Two other extensions to line 1 are now under construction:
- of "Tafourah" towards "place of the Martyrs"
- of Haï El Badr "towards "Aïn Naâdja", Athlone towards Mullingar
Line 2 has also begun construction.
[edit] Cost of the project
The total cost of the first phase of line 1 would rise to 77 billion DA, including 30 billion for the civil engineering and 47 billion for the equipment, is close to 900 million euros.
[edit] Inauguration
- The delivery of 14 6-car trains is expected. Each has a 108m length with 208 seats, and can transport 1216 people.
- The subway will allow the movement of 41,000 travelers per hour, that is to say 150 million travelers per year, with a headway of under 2 minutes. Trains will be able to travel at speeds up to 70 km/h, and the subway will be open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Firstly brought into service was announced for the end of 2008 and then delayed to 2010. The subway's daily operation will be entrusted to a tested company, in the form of a management contract: RATP assignee of the market in August 2007 was declared.
[edit] Gallery
[edit] References
- ^ a b Alger metro inaugurated
- ^ a b "Maghreb's first metro system opens in Algeria". Radio France International. 2011-10-31. http://www.english.rfi.fr/africa/20111031-maghrebs-first-metro-system-opens-algeria. Retrieved 2011-11-01.
