Morocco’s Casablanca Transports has awarded a team led by French consultancy Egis the MD300m ($31.8m) project management services contract for the construction of lines 3 and 4 of the Casablanca Tramway.

The other members of the team are local firms Novec and Atelier A1.

According to a local media report, Novec has also been awarded a smaller contract, worth MD1.55m, to undertake the environmental and social impact studies for the two lines.

The same group undertook the preliminary design studies for lines 3, 4 and 5.

Casablanca Transports expects to launch the tenders for the civil works and systems for lines 3 and 4 before end of 2017.

Preparatory works, which include underground networks, began in April and are expected to be completed in October 2018, when construction of the two lines is expected to commence.

The two lines will require an investment of MD8.4bn ($850m).

The Moroccan state as well as the regional and municipal governments of Casablanca will supply funding for 60 per cent of the project. Guaranteed loans will be utilised for the remaining 40 per cent of the budget.

The proposed Line 3 will link the Moulay Rachid industrial area, the Ben Msik College, Mabrouka, Ouled Zian and the Hassan II mosque all in Casablanca. Line 4 will extend from Derb Soltane to the Casa Port.

Line 2 of the Casa Tramway is under construction and is expected to be completed in October 2018.

In July, Casablanca Transports received bids for the rolling stock package of lines 3 and 4.

Companies that have submitted an offer are:

• Alstom Transport (France)
• Bombardier CAS (Canada)
• CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive (China)
• Skoda Transportation (Czech Republic)

The contract is expected to be awarded in December.