Line 1 of the Algiers metro

In January 2006, the Entreprise Métro d’Alger entrusted the construction of Algiers’ first metro line to a consortium consisting of VINCI Construction Grands Projets, Siemens Transportation Systems and the Spanish company CAF. It was a contract for the turnkey delivery of a 9.5 km rapid transit line with a rolling stock of 14 trains for the Algerian capital. Our portion consisted of the finish and layout of 10 stations (nine underground and one overground), as well as the construction of a 16,000 m² service building and maintenance rooms. VINCI Construction Grands Projets was responsible for the civil engineering works, architectural layout of the stations, electromechanical equipment, escalators as well as the Anassers control station and the Bach Djerah maintenance rooms.

BACKGROUND

The project to build a metro system in Algiers dates back to the 1980s in a bid to cope with population explosion and the resulting need for public transport.
Work started officially in 1982, but the drop in petrol prices, and then the financial and political crisis and insecurity of the 1990s led to only four stations being built in 15 years.
Taking advantage of the national multiannual public investment plans of 2000-2004 and 2005-2009, the Algerian government decided to provide the project with adequate financial means. So, the Entreprise du Métro d’Alger put out an international call for tenders and in January 2006, the “entire system” (turnkey) was awarded to the consortium formed by Siemens, VINCI Construction Grands Projets and CAF.

TECHNICAL OVERVIEW

VINCI Construction Grands Projets was responsible for the architectural work and the electromechanical equipment for the stations, tunnel and station escalators, ventilation, smoke control (control station) and the construction of the control room and maintenance rooms.
The centralised control room brings together all the commands to run the transport system. Its mission is to ensure traffic management and maintain a high quality service. The control room is located in the El Anasser technical complex near “Les Fusillés” station. We were also in charge of the construction of the maintenance yard to store and repair metro trains.
All types of foundations were used (pad, continuous and combined footings, strap beams, piles, general base). The structure was traditional (posts, beams, shear walls, solid slabs). Precast elements were not common and not permitted because of the applicable seismic codes. The formwork was built using metallic panels with bakelised plywood. Mobile cranes (up to 60 t) and tower cranes were used for lifting.
The ventilation system, designed and built under French regulations, is made up of interstation structures equipped with two reversible ventilators (rate between 80 and 100 m3/s). Motorised dampers were installed at each end of underground stations to operate in normal and emergency (fire) conditions.

The Algiers metro is automated. This system, already in use in Paris (line 14) and New York (line L), ensures the safe passage of trains and provides an attractive – that is, fast, punctual and available – commuter option.

IMPACT

On 31 October 2011, the president of Algeria, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, inaugurated the first phase of Line 1 of the capital’s metro. Nearly 80,000 people are reported to have taken Line 1 when it started running on 1 November 2011.
The Algiers metro is in operation seven days a week from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. with a frequency of every 3 minutes and 20 seconds during peak hours and every 5 minutes during off-peak hours. It allows 25,000 commuters to travel per hour. In 2014, 16 million passengers used the line (an increase of 8% compared with 2013). The metro runs through the city centre and has enhanced the lives of people tangibly by decongesting the city centre.
This modern line has given Algiers a fast, safe and reliable metro. Together with the Cairo metro, it is the only heavy rail metro system in the African continent.
After the 9.5 km extension of the Line 1 metro to connect Grande Poste to Hai El Dadr became operational on 1 November 2015, the project managers started working on extensions to serve other areas. At present, four Line 1 extensions are being built to bring the total network length to 40 km by 2020.

Projet participants

Client
Entreprise Métro d’Alger (EMA)

Key figures

Implementation dates
January 2006 to November 2011    

 Number of station
10

Number of train
14

Technical services building
16,000 m2

Testimonial

“It was a true opportunity and pleasure to be able to contribute something to our client and Algerians in general. Being able to participate in the construction of a nation’s first metro line is a rare experience and an amazing opportunity.”

GÉRARD BOUVARD, PROJECT DIRECTOR