A joint venture comprising Canada-based Bombardier and a partnership of Egyptian contractors Orascom Construction and Arab Contractors has signed an agreement with the National Authority for Tunnels in Cairo to design and build the first two new monorail lines in Egypt.
Bombardier Transportation will collect the lion’s share of the $4.5 billion contract, with $2.85 billion, while Orascom Construction will take home with the remaining $900 million.
Once the construction phase of the contract is complete, the consortium will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of both lines for 30 years.
According to Bombardier, the first monorail line will extend 54 kilometers (33.5 miles) from East Cairo to the New Administrative Capital. The second line will be 42 kilometers (26 miles) in length and connect 6 October City to Giza.
These will be the first mass transit links to connect Greater Cairo with New Capital City and 6 October City, transporting up to 45,000 passengers per hour in each direction.
Under the contract, Orascom Construction will design and build all infrastructure and civil works, including stations, guideway structures and new depot buildings. Bombardier will design, supply and install the electrical and mechanical equipment for the two INNOVIA Monorail 300 system lines. It also will provide the overall electrical and mechanical system integration, project management, systems engineering and integration, test and commissioning for the trains and signaling, as well as operations and maintenance of the vehicles and wayside systems.
“Our INNOVIA Monorail 300 technology has proved to be a game changer in the industry, as it allows fast construction of high capacity transit lines at lower costs,” said Danny Di Perna, president of Bombardier Transportation, in a statement. “With its advanced technology, unmatched safety features and attractive aerodynamic design, this proven platform will dramatically improve the quality of life for millions of residents by significantly reducing their daily commuting time as well as reducing traffic congestion and its impact on the city.”
The INNOVIA Monorail 300 system has been operating in Sao Paulo, Brazil, since 2014.
