Egypt’s National Authority for Tunnels (NAT) has cancelled the design and supervision works tender for the rehabilitation of the Raml tramway in Alexandria.

The authority said in June that three groups passed the technical bids evaluation phase of the contract. They are:

• Artellia Ville & Transport (France) / Ingerop (France) / Menarail (local)
• Sener Ingenieria Y Systemas (Spain) / Setec Group (France) / Khatib & Alami (Lebanon)
• Systra (France) / Egis Rail (France) / Ace Consulting Engineers-Moharram/Bakhoum (local) / Projacs (local).

The three groups’ financial offers were expected to be evaluated next.

NAT received bids for the contract on 1 April.

The scope of work includes:

• Detailed design of civil and arrangement works
• Evaluation of technical and financial proposals
• Supporting the client in negotiations with selected bidders
• Supervision of project implementation
• Preparation of the operation and maintenance model.

The civil works scope will include arrangements, power supply, electromechanical equipment and systems, signaling and driving devices, control systems, track works, telecommunications systems and rolling stock.

French Development Agency (AFD) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) will finance 78 per cent of the €360m ($400m) budget required for the scheme.

AFD will supply €100m while EIB will supply €180m, according to the Egypt’s investment ministry. The Egyptian government is expected to raise the remaining funding required.

The tram network meant for rehabilitation is about 13.7 kilometres long, extending from Victoria station to Raml station, and then on to Manshya square. There are 28 stations overall.

The tramway began operating in the 1860s and is the second-oldest in the world.