The SNTF of Algeria awards ALSTOM a railway-electrification contract worth 88 million euros

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The contract was signed on June 5 in presence of Nicolas Sarkozy, France's finance minister, Mohamed Maghlaoui, Algeria's transport minister, Patrick Kron, chairman and chief executive officer of ALSTOM, Abdelhamid Lalaimia, chief executive officer of the SNTF, and Louis Gallois, chairman of the SNCF, which will work with ALSTOM on the project as a subcontractor.

ALSTOM will supply and install 300 kilometers of catenary and three power substations (25 kV). ALSTOM’s share of the contract is 71 million euros.

The electrification of lines — Algiers to Thenia, Oued Smar to Gué of Constantine, and El Harrach to El Afroun — is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2007.

The upgrade will allow the SNTF to improve service in the Algiers suburbs, notably by increasing capacity. New electric multiple units with passenger capacity of 1,800 and top speed of 120 kph will offer service on the lines. The SNTF expects to increase traffic from 20 million passengers a year currently to 60 million by the year 2010.

ALSTOM’s partners in the consortium are Infrarail, a subsidiary of the SNTF, which will carry out civil works, and Baticim, which will supply poles and other steelwork.

With more than 35 product lines and a presence in more than 60 countries, ALSTOM's Transport sector offers complete products and services for new rolling stock, signaling, and electrical and mechanical infrastructure as well as maintenance and rehabilitation services to four distinct types of customers: urban transit authorities and operators; intercity passenger rail operators and rolling stock owners; rail freight operators; and intercity railway infrastructure owners. ALSTOM's Transport sector, with sales of 4.9 billion euros in financial year 2003-2004, is among the world's leading suppliers to the railway industry. 

Press information:
Helen Connolly
Tel. +33 (0)1 41 66 91 43
helen.connolly@transport.alstom.com