Yapi Merkezi, a Turkish firm undertaking construction of the Awash-Wedie rail, has awarded Bombardier Transportation company a contract to deliver mainline signaling for the rail project.
The contract is valued at US$ 45m and is one of the longest lines tendered as a turnkey project in Sub-Saharan Africa according to Erdem Arioglu, who is a board member of Yapi Merkezi.
Part of an investment programme by Ethiopian Railways to extend the country’s rail network, the new link is to be equipped with the proven BOMBARDIER* INTERFLO* 250 solution. The system will be based on the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS), a global, standardized and state-of-the-art signaling system that will ensure the new railway’s high utilization and interoperability with other lines and new vehicles.
Yapi Merkezi is constructing the railway line at a cost of US$ 1.7bn. The line is being constructed between Awash and Woldia towns. The railway line will connect northern Ethiopia with central region. It will also link the northern and eastern transportation network of Ethiopia. The rail project is expected to be complete by December 2015. The project was being funded by Credit Suisse and the Turkish Export and Import banks. The section will finally link to Djibouti.
Bombardier’s advanced rail control solutions have already been selected for provision of services across Africa. This includes for the Gautrain Rapid Rail Link and Durban’s Main Corridors in South Africa. In addition, the latest solutions were recently chosen for Zambia’s north – south connection between Livingstone and Chingola and for the upgrade of Morocco’s Casablanca to Tangiers line. Bombardier is also providing Algeria with its first ERTMS and advanced interlocking technology.
