Algiers Metro
Encyclopedia
The Algiers Metro 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. Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika
attended the ribbon cutting opening ceremony on October 31, 2011. The Algiers Metro opened to passengers on November 1, 2011.
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 http://www.sider.dz/GENISIDER - 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.
) to Tafourah-Large Post office (Algiers-Center).
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 strap motorway Ouchaïah Wadi.
Two other extensions of line 1 are planned:
, including 30 billion for the civil engineering and 47 billion for the equipment, is close to 900 million euro
s.
Algiers
' is the capital and largest city of Algeria. According to the 1998 census, the population of the city proper was 1,519,570 and that of the urban agglomeration was 2,135,630. In 2009, the population was about 3,500,000...
, Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
, 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. Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika
Abdelaziz Bouteflika
Abdelaziz Bouteflika is the ninth President of Algeria. He has been in office since 1999. He continued emergency rule until 24 February 2011, and presided over the end of the bloody Algerian Civil War in 2002...
attended the ribbon cutting opening ceremony on October 31, 2011. The Algiers Metro opened to passengers on November 1, 2011.
History
During the 1970s, the promoters of the Algiers rapid transit subway project envisioned a 64 km (39.8 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 oilOil
An oil is any substance that is liquid at ambient temperatures and does not mix with water but may mix with other oils and organic solvents. This general definition includes vegetable oils, volatile essential oils, petrochemical oils, and synthetic oils....
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 http://www.sider.dz/GENISIDER - 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
Topography
Topography is the study of Earth's surface shape and features or those ofplanets, moons, and asteroids...
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
Systra
SYSTRA is an international engineering and consulting group specializing in rail and public transport. SYSTRA is known worldwide for its work in transport modes that offer a sustainable alternative to cars and trucks...
for project management, and Agéro-German GAAMA for construction and completion, within 38 months, of the civil engineering
Civil engineering
Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including works like roads, bridges, canals, dams, and buildings...
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
Siemens AG
Siemens AG is a German multinational conglomerate company headquartered in Munich, Germany. It is the largest Europe-based electronics and electrical engineering company....
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
Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles
Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles is a rail equipment manufacturer based in Beasain in the Basque Country, Spain. Equipment manufactured by CAF includes light rail vehicles, rapid transit trains, railroad cars and locomotives, as well as variable gauge axles that can be fitted on any...
(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
Trainguard MT CBTC
Trainguard MT CBTC is a communication-based train control developed by Siemens Transportation Systems which allows fully automated circulation of rapid transit trains, and thanks to mobile block system, less time between trains.- Rapid transit lines using Trainguard MT CBTC :* Paris Métro Line 14,...
technology, already implemented on line 1 and 14 of the Paris subway.
Building site in progress
With a length of 9 km, the first phase of line 1 includes 10 stations, connecting Haï el Badr (BouroubaBourouba
Bourouba is a suburb of the city of Algiers in northern Algeria....
) 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.
Extensions
El Harrach
El Harrach is a suburb of the Algerian capital Algiers....
composed of 4 stations and one viaduct
Viaduct
A viaduct is a bridge composed of several small spans. The term viaduct is derived from the Latin via for road and ducere to lead something. However, the Ancient Romans did not use that term per se; it is a modern derivation from an analogy with aqueduct. Like the Roman aqueducts, many early...
of 250 m above the strap motorway Ouchaïah Wadi.
- The Gaama group which carried out the first section quoted 250 million euroEuroThe euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
s including/understanding the realization of a multimode station (subway/train/taxis) on the level of the railway station of El HarrachEl HarrachEl Harrach is a suburb of the Algerian capital Algiers....
.
Two other extensions of line 1 are planned:
- of "Tafourah" towards "place of the Martyrs"
- of Haï El Badr "towards "Aïn Naâdja", Athlone towards Mullingar
Cost of the project
The total cost of the first phase of line 1 would rise to 77 billion DAAlgerian dinar
The dinar is the currency of Algeria and it is subdivided into 100 santeem .-History:The dinar was introduced on 1 April 1964, replacing the Algerian new franc at par.-Coins:...
, including 30 billion for the civil engineering and 47 billion for the equipment, is close to 900 million euro
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
s.
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.