The competition for implementing the Cairo Third Metro Line project reached a crucial point on Tuesday. The opening of the financial offers was done and sources revealed that French VINCI Construction group made a cheaper offer compared to its main competitor, Spanish construction group OHL (Obrascón, Huarte and Lain).
The ambitious project, promoted by the National Authority for Tunnels (NAT) aims to connect important urban centers, extending from the north west of greater Cairo at Imbaba, to the north east at Heliopolis, also serving the Cairo International Airport.
The line will cross under the two branches of the Nile River, with a total length of approximately 30 km-most of which runs though an underground tunnel. The line's stations will be constructed by the cut and cover method.
Offers were submitted for the coveted rail tender in March 2006, with two rounds of the tender process set to take place. Round 1, for the technical aspects of the project, has already been completed, with offers since opened and rated.
According to the valuation, the two competitors have been pre-qualified for the civil works project as well as ( for the combined project) including power supply, electromechanical work, toll equipment, rolling stock maintenance facilities and mms. However, for the joint work project, the French company and its partners (namely Arabco, Bouygues ,ORASCOM) are the only ones which have been pre-qualified.
Sources in Egypt claim that the French group has submitted its bid in a manner common amongst French firms-a combination of high quality and a good price. Generally speaking, Vinci Construction has an impressive track record in implementing similar projects. Athens metro project, Budapest railway project and St. Petersburg are just three such examples, while Vinci has successfully carried out wide scale projects on all continents.
Industry sources indicate that OHL, on the other hand, suffers from a major technical weakness in dealing with the project, as is the case with slurry TBM (tunnel boring machine). Egyptian authorities have voiced that experience with slurry TBM is mandatory.
It should be noted that the civil works costs of the Cairo Metro Line 3 Project reach some Euro300 million. In this regard, Vinci – Arabco - Bouygues - Orascom tie up is regarded by experts as technically and financially suitable for the construction of the Line 3 Phase and the following phases if Egypt requires.
