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I. EXTENSION OF THE GREATER CAIRO METRO NETWORK
A recent transportation study of the Greater Cairo region was completed in 1999 and recommended the implementation of four new metro lines, Lines 3, 4, 5 and 6, in addition to the two existing lines presently under operation. The completed Metro Network will be capable of serving most of the densely populated areas in the Greater Cairo region, which is in much need of a mass transit system. The Metro Network includes many interchange stations between the six metro lines and also provides interchange facilities with existing main railway stations and bus terminal stations.
Line No. 3 in this plan has become an important project; this line extends from the north west of the Greater Cairo at Imbaba to the north-east at Heliopolis and will also serve the Cairo International Airport. The line crosses under the two branches of the River Nile, same as Line 2. The total length of the line is approximately 30 km most of which is in bored tunnel and will be implemented in four phases. The project includes a Main Workshop adjacent to the western terminal of the line and a Light Repair Workshop at the middle of the line at Abbasia.
The implementation of Line No. 3 will start with Attaba to Abbasia section, the first phase, followed by the second phase from Abbasia to Heliopolis, which are the most urgent sections for the transportation needs. The basic design of phase 1, 6 km in length, has just started and will be completed by the end of year 2001 to be ready for launching as an international tender for its construction.
The design of phase 1 is taking into consideration the safe crossing of two major underground structures; namely, the line 2 bored tunnel at Attaba and the wastewater spine tunnel north of Attaba. It is also planned that some of the underground stations will be extensively used as commercial centres. These stations will be constructed by the cut-and-cover method and the rolling stock will be fed by power through a third rail.
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Line No. 4 crosses the region from the south-west at Al Ahram to the east at Nasr City, a length of 24 km most of which is also in bored tunnel and crosses under the two branches of the River Nile.
Line No. 5 is a half-circular line connecting lines 1, 2, 3 and 4 and has a length of 20 km. The entire route is in bored tunnel.
Line No. 6 is a longitudinal line stretching from the north of the city to the south, a length of 19 km, most of which is in bored tunnel.
The six metro lines are planned to meet the transportation demands of the Greater Cairo area up to the year 2022. However, the actual construction and implementation schedule will be restricted by the available funding resources.
II. ALEXANDRIA REGIONAL METRO
Alexandria is the second largest Governate in Egypt. A transportation study carried out in 1986 recommended the implementation of a Regional Metro Line extending from Abou Kir at the far east of the city to El Amreya at the far west of the city, a length of approximately 55 km. The line will benefit from the use of the existing railway line from Abou Kir to Misr station in the middle of the city, a length of 21.5 km, the first priority of the proposed Metro line.
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A new study of the project, completed in 1999, presented the detailed alignment of the whole length of the line, the basic design of the first section of the line, and the relevant documents for an international tender. The western terminal of the line was amended in this recent study to be west of the Hanoveel district at Kp 21, Alexandria-Matrouh road. Therefore, the total length of the line will be 46 km. The line will use heavy rolling stock fed through an overhead line catenary system.
The first section of the line will be partially on grade and partially on viaduct along 21.5 km. This section will include the construction of a main power station, an operational control centre and the main workshop.
The second section of the line will be in bored tunnel crossing the highly populated area of the city, a length of 8.5 km.
The third and last section will be partially in tunnel and partially on viaduct
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III. PORT SAID ROAD TUNNEL
The proposed location of this project is 19 km south of Port Said City where the road will cross under the Suez Canal through a tunnel. This tunnel has been considered as one of the main requirements for the success of the new extensive developments of the East of Port Said project, which includes a new harbour and 87km2 of land earmarked for industrial and agricultural investment. The proposed tunnel is also considered as an essential element of the International Coastal Road extending from Libya to Gaza in Palestine via Alexandria and Port Said. The tunnel will allow the passage of private cars and commercial vehicles, including lorries with trailers.
The total length of the tunnel and approaches is approximately 3 km and it will be a bored tunnel. Offers were invited in 1999 to implement the project on a BOT basis. However, only unacceptable bids were received. A new declaration will be announced in the next few months. To improve the financial aspects of the project, a considerable area of land will be given to the concession company for development, in addition to the toll systems at the tunnel entrances.
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