Plans for the construction of several tram systems across the country are moving ahead as the government seeks to regenerate a number of mid-sized cities. Entreprise du Metro d'Alger (EMA) is handling the various schemes.

Tenders are due to be issued in early 2007 for the estimated $300 million lump-sum turnkey contract to build the Constantine tram. The project centres on the construction of an 8.9-kilometre link between the city centre to the suburb of Zouaghi in the south. There is also provision for a further 9 kilometres. The consultant is a French consortium of Ingerop, Semaly and Setirail.

Bidders will also be invited in the first quarter of next year for the contract to build the estimated $360 million first phase of the Oran network. The project will run for 17.7 kilometres and extend from 1 November Square to Essenia. The network will comprise 31 stations and is due to be operational by 2009. A second line will also be tendered at a later stage. The Iberian consortium Ensitrans, comprising Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona and Scenair, both of Spain, and Portugal's Metropolitana de Lisboa, is the consultant.

A team of Semaly and Brussels-based Transurb-Technirail is also working on the five-month feasibility study for a tram system at Annaba. The scheme will extend over 23 kilometres. Initial proposals indicate three routes in the north, centre and south of the city. Project completion is targeted for 2010.

EMA is also evaluating consultancy bids to carry out a five-month feasibility study for a tram network at Setif, 300 kilometres to the east of Algiers.