Bombardier Transportation has won a contract to deliver the mainline signalling solution for Ethiopia’s new 400 km Awash-Weldia line. The order awarded by Turkish construction company Yapi Merkezi, which is delivering the design and construction of the project, has a value of approximately 36 million euro (45 million USD).

Part of an investment programme by Ethiopian Railways to extend the country’s rail network, the new link is to be equipped with the proven BOMBARDIER* INTERFLO* 250 solution. The system will be based on the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS), a global, standardised and state-of-the-art signalling system that will ensure the new railway’s high utilisation and interoperability with other lines and new vehicles.

Erdem Arioglu, Board Member of Yapi Merkezi, stated, “This is one of the longest lines tendered as a turn-key project in Sub-Saharan Africa. Yapi Merkezi went through a very detailed selection process to determine its suppliers and sub-contractors and Bombardier was selected due to its proven track record and its successful, long-term cooperation with Yapi Merkezi on similar projects worldwide.”

The Awash-Weldia project has a significant importance as it connects the northern and eastern economic and traffic corridor of Ethiopia. The railway to be built will connect the railway lines from Mekelle to Hara Gebeya and then Addis to Djibouti, which is the main transport corridor for both passenger and freight traffic, and for transport of imported and exported goods via Djibouti Port. Furthermore, the construction of this railway will play an active and significant role in connecting the northern region of the country with the central part.

The Awash-Weldia Railway project which has a 1,7 Billion USD shall be completed in 42 months and the design works for the project will be handled by Yapı Merkezi as well. In addition to the length of the main line which is approximately 389 kms, station lines are 18 kms and the maintenance lines are 40 kms. The length of the total line is approximately 447 kms.