Work on phases one and two of Cairo metro’s Line 3 has stopped due to the recent political upheaval in the Egyptian capital.

Phase one involves the construction of a 5.5-kilometre section of track with five underground stations. Work is being carried out by a consortium of France’s Alstom and local Orascom Construction Industries. Phase one of line is scheduled for completion in October 2011.

Phase two of line 3 involves the construction of a 7.2km section of track with four underground stations. France’s Vinci leads the consortium that won the civil engineering contract for phase two in June 2010.

National Authority for Tunnels (Nat) has also delayed issuing the tender for phase three of line 3, although this is predominantly due to financial reasons.

Phase three has been divided into four sections, 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D. Phase 3A will be 4km long and will run from Attaba Station to Kit Kat Station in the west of the city. It will have four underground stations. Line 3 will run for 40km when complete. France’s Systra is the consultant on the expansion of Cairo metro.

President Hosni Mubarak resigned from office on 11 February following 18 days of popular protests.