Algeria has issued a number of tenders as part of its efforts to modernise and expand the country’s rail network.

Anesrif, the national rail authority, has released tenders covering the design of train stations, the provision of overhead catenary wires for a train network in the mining area of Annaba, as well as a tender for the design of level crossings. Bids are due to be submitted in July.

The tender for the new station covers preliminary studies and design work for a station and surrounding landscaping at El-Meghair, on the Biskra to Touggourt line.

A total of 18 new level crossings are to be built between Khemis and Oued-Fodda on the Algiers to Oran line.

The new tenders follow the award of a 48-month, €1.4m ($1.7m) contract covering engineering design work for a new railway line between Boughezoul and Djelfa in Algeria. The contract was awarded to a Portuguese consortium comprising TPF Planege and Refer.

The new line has a length of 140 kilometres and is expected to be single track gauge and capable of speeds of up to 220km/h.

Algeria is investing approximately €28bn in renovating its railway and building thousands of kilometres of new connections.