Constantine tramway

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Constantine Tramway
Overview
StatusCompleted
OwnerEntreprise Métro d'Alger [fr]
LocaleConstantine, Algeria
Termini
  • Benabdelmalek Ramdhane
  • Université Abdelhamid Mehri
Stations21
Websitehttps://setram.dz/nos-reseaux/CST
Service
Typetramway
Services1
Operator(s)SETRAM [fr]
Depot(s)Zouaghi Slimane
Rolling stock51 Alstom Citadis 402
History
Opened4 July 2013
Technical
Line length18.4 kilometres (11.4 mi) approx.
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Electrification750 V DC OHLE
Operating speed70 kilometres per hour (43 mph) (off-street)
Map of the system before the 2019 and 2021 extensions
System map

The Constantine Tramway is a tramway network serving Constantine, the third-largest city in Algeria. Opened in 2013, the tramway is operated by the Société d'exploitation des tramways [fr] (SETRAM) and owned by the Entreprise Métro d'Alger [fr] (EMA). The network currently consists of one 18.4 kilometre long line connecting Constantine with the nearby town of Ali Mendjeli [fr]. A second route, running to El Khroub via the airport, is currently planned.[1]

First planned in the early 2000s, the tramway experienced several delays and cost overruns during the course of its completion. Construction lasted from 2008 to 2013, and the tramway opened on the 4th of July 2013.[2] A southern extension to the network added 10 kilometres to the line and opened in stages, first on the 3rd of June 2019[3] and later on the 29th of September 2021.[4]

History

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2004-2008: Initial plans and preparation

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The first plan for a tramway in Constantine dates back to the early 2000s, with feasibility studies being started in 2004.[5] Originally, the tramway's single line was meant to start at the Place des Martyrs (Martyrs' Square) in the city centre of Constantine and run south to the Zouaghi district,[6] with a later extension further south to the town of Ali Mendjeli [fr] being planned.

From its inception, the project had been mired in controversy and local opposition, mostly due to the requirement of the removal of historical buildings along its route in the city centre. The biggest conflict point was with the demolition of the Coudiat prison, an Algerian national heritage site which had listed status since 1992.[7][8] In addition, locals also opposed the construction of the tramway due to the disruption it would bring to the road network.[8]

The design, tender, supervision of construction, and management of the tramway project was awarded to a consortium of Ingérop [fr] and Semaly (now Egis Rail [fr]) in December 2005,[9][10] with Ingérop acting as the team leader in charge of all works related to the tramway.[11] Work would be carried out on behalf of the Entreprise Métro d'Alger (EMA), who awarded the contract.[12]

Construction on the line was originally meant to start in April 2007,[13] however this date was later postponed.[14] At around the same time that the line was supposed to start construction, the most controversial part of the project, that being the section of the line within the city centre, was cancelled and the line was cut back to Benabdelmalek Ramdhane, as the result of a presidential decree not to demolish the Coudiat prison.[7][8][15]

In November 2007, a consortium of Alstom and Pizzarotti won the tender for turnkey construction of the tramway,[16][17] with Pizzarotti being in charge of the civil engineering works, while Alstom supplied the tram vehicles, carried out track laying, and constructed the overhead power supply, signalling, and telecommunications equipment.[16] Surveying work on the route of the tramway was completed in May 2008.[18]

2008-2013: Construction and opening

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A tram near Benabdelmalek Ramdhane station, March 2022

Construction on the line, from Benabdelmalek Ramdhane in the city centre south to Zouaghi Slimane over a distance of 7.6 kilometres, began on the 2nd of August 2008 with the demolition of the Ben Abdelmalek Ramdhane stadium's stands, clearing the way for the tramway's route.[19]

The pace of the tramway's construction varied throughout late 2008 and 2009,[7][20] however in January 2010 the first delay in construction was announced, lasting a period of around 5-6 months.[21] In March 2011, a strike was launched by construction workers which greatly hindered the progress of the tram's construction.[22][23] As a result of the strike and other financial, technical, and administrative problems that had plagued the project, opening of the tramway was delayed again from 2011 to late 2012.[24] On the 20th of September 2011, the first of the 27 Alstom Citadis 402 trams ordered for the tramway arrived in Algeria.[25]

By April 2012, construction of the tramway was 72% complete,[26] and on the 30th of April, the first test run was completed over a distance of 1.5 kilometres near the depot in Zouaghi, with opening of the tramway also being announced as happening in the first quarter of 2013.[27][28] Trial running continued throughout 2012, and by December 2012, construction was 90% complete.[29] The first test run along the entire route of the tramway was completed on the 25th of December 2012.[30]

The tramway was officially inaugurated from Benabdelmalek Ramdhane to Zouaghi Slimane on the 4th of July 2013, with passenger services beginning the next day.[31][2] By the time of its opening, the line had become the most expensive tramway project in Algeria, costing a total of 44 billion dinars, or around 4.8 billion dinars per kilometre.[32]

2015-2021: Extension to Ali Mendjeli

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In July 2015, the EMA awarded the contract for the extension of the tramway further south to the town of Ali Mendjeli to a consortium of Alstom, Corsan, Coviam, and Cosider [fr].[33][34][35] The contract would extend the tramway by 10 kilometres and amounted to around 80 million euros. Alstom would supply the track, signalling, catenary, telecommunications, and substation infrastructure, while the other project partners would carry out the civil engineering works.[33]

In order to accommodate the demands of the new extension, plans were made to expand the existing tram fleet with locally-assembled trams built by the Cital [fr] joint-venture. A total of 24 trams were ordered for the extension, the first of which was delivered to Constantine from the Cital plant in Annaba on the 29th of December 2015.[36] Delivery of the trams continued until 2017.[1]

The first phase of the southern extension, running for 7 kilometres from Zouaghi Slimane to Chahid Kadri Brahim station in the north of Ali Mendjeli, opened on the 3rd of June 2019.[3][37][38] Testing for the second stage of the extension, from Chahid Kadri Brahim to Université Abdelhamid Mehri via the town centre of Ali Mendjeli, began on the 23rd of January 2021.[39][40] The 3.8 kilometre long extension opened on the 29th of September 2021.[4][41][42]

Route and infrastructure

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A tram on the Rhumel viaduct, May 2024

The tramway network's single line runs on a north-south alignment from the southern edge of Constantine city centre to the town of Ali Mendjeli, connecting three universities as well as the communities in Constantine's southern suburbs. As the line runs between Constantine and Ali Mendjeli, its characteristics are closer to those of an interurban or light rail line rather than a tramway, as the section between El Aifour and Université Salah Boubnider runs through undeveloped land.[1]

Owing to Constantine's difficult geography, the tramway also has several notable civil works. The largest piece of infrastructure on the line is the viaduct over the Rhumel River, which at a length of 465 metres[43] is one of the largest single pieces of tramway infrastructure in Algeria. The line also encounters many large slopes and grades on its route. Other civil works on the line include bridges near El Aifour and Cité El-Istiklal, as well as some short tunnels.[1] The line runs entirely on its own reserved right-of-way separate from other vehicle traffic, although with some level crossings for road vehicles.

The network runs on standard-gauge (1435 mm) tracks, and electrification is supplied by a 750 V DC overhead line.[1] The depot is located south of Zouaghi Slimane station.

Rolling stock

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Two trams meet near Université Mentouri station, May 2024

The Constantine tramway fleet consists of 51 7-section Alstom Citadis 402 vehicles, although this total is divided into two separate orders.

The first series of 27 Citadis 402 trams were ordered from Alstom as a part of the turnkey tramway project signed in 2007[16] and manufactured at the Alstom factory in Santa Perpetua, Spain.[25] The first tram vehicle was delivered on the 20th of September 2011,[25] and all vehicles were delivered by the time of the tramway's opening in 2013. The low-floor trams were designed by the French agency RCP Design Global.[44]

The second series, consisting of 24 Citadis 402 vehicles, was ordered as a part of the southern extension plans in order to add capacity to the system. The trams are visually and mechanically similar to the first series, however they differ in their place of origin: instead of being built by Alstom, the trams were assembled locally as kits in Annaba, Algeria by the Cital [fr] joint-venture. The first tram of the new series was delivered on the 29th of December 2015,[36] and production continued until 2017.[1]

Fleet numbers Manufacturer/assembler Year(s) built Place of origin Notes
101-127 Alstom 2011-2012 Spain Tram #102 transferred to Algiers in September 2024[1]
128-151 Cital 2015-2017 Algeria Tram #150 transferred to Algiers in May 2024[1]

Although the necessary number of trams was ordered to serve both the existing and planned lines, the normal operation of the tramway currently only requires 28 vehicles.[1] As a result of this, there is a large surplus of trams that are not being used. As of early 2025, two trams have been transferred to the Algiers tram network to meet the increased demand there: #102 in September 2024, and #150 in May 2024.[1] It is possible that more trams may be transferred in the future, due to the high demand of ridership on the Algiers tramway.

Planned lines and extensions

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As part of the southern extension contract signed in 2015,[34][35] provisions were made for a second 16.4 kilometre long line that would branch off of the first line at Zouaghi Slimane station and run southeast to the town of El Khroub via Mohamed Boudiaf International Airport.[33][1] Switches and tracks for this branch have already been installed south of Zouaghi Slimane, however the line remains in the planning phase.[1] It is unknown when the line will start construction.

Operation

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Since its opening, the tramway has been operated by SETRAM [fr] (Société d'Exploitation des Tramways), a joint-venture established in 2012 for the operation of tram networks nationwide.[45]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Kußmagk, Bernhard; Schwandl, Robert (2025), Tram Atlas: Nordafrika & Naher Osten = Tram Atlas: North Africa & Middle East (1. Auflage ed.), Berlin: Robert Schwandl Verlag, ISBN 978-3-936573-82-4
  2. ^ a b International, Railway Gazette. "Constantine tramway opens". Railway Gazette International. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  3. ^ a b "The Alstom/Cosider consortium and EMA celebrate the entry into commercial service of part 1 of the Constantine tramway line extension". Alstom. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  4. ^ a b "The Prime Minister and Finance Minister Aimene Benabderrahmane and Minister of Transport Aissa Bekkai inaugurated the extension of the Constantine tram line in Algeria in presence of Alstom, in consortium with Cosider, and Enterprise Metro d'Alger (EMA)". Alstom. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  5. ^ "La réception des rails du tramway prévue en septembre". El Moudjahid. 26 August 2009. Archived from the original on 23 June 2024.
  6. ^ "Tramway de Constantine : Bouteflika contredit le wali". El Watan. 18 October 2006. Archived from the original on 23 June 2024.
  7. ^ a b c "Le tramway verra-t-il le jour ?". L'Expression. 18 November 2008. Archived from the original on 23 June 2024.
  8. ^ a b c "Tramway : le doute succède à la polémique". L'Expression. 1 June 2008. Archived from the original on 23 June 2024.
  9. ^ "Ingerop - Actualités - Les nouveaux contrats". www.ingerop.com. Archived from the original on 20 October 2007. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  10. ^ "Wayback Machine" (PDF). www.egis-rail.fr. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 January 2009. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
  11. ^ "Constantine tram". Ingérop. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  12. ^ International, Railway Gazette. "World urban rail news July 2006". Railway Gazette International. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  13. ^ "Pose de la première pierre du tramway le 16 avril prochain à Constantine - L'ambassadeur italien s'engage au nom des entreprises de son pays". La Tribune. 3 February 2007. Archived from the original on 23 June 2024.
  14. ^ "Youm El Ilm et la ligne du tramway". La Nouvelle République. 26 March 2007. Archived from the original on 23 June 2024.
  15. ^ "La prison civile de Constantine ne sera pas démolie". La Tribune. 24 April 2007. Archived from the original on 23 June 2024.
  16. ^ a b c "Alstom to supply Citadis tramways to the cities of Oran and Constantine in Algeria". Alstom. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  17. ^ International, Railway Gazette. "Alstom to build Algerian trams". Railway Gazette International. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  18. ^ "Réalisation du tramway - Les travaux de topographie achevés". El Acil. 19 May 2008. Archived from the original on 23 June 2024.
  19. ^ "Projet du tramway de Constantine: Démolition des tribunes du stade Benabdelmalek". La Tribune. 3 August 2008. Archived from the original on 23 June 2024.
  20. ^ "La cadence des travaux s'accélère". Liberté. 22 April 2009. Archived from the original on 23 June 2024.
  21. ^ "Constantine: un retard « maximum toléré » de 5 mois pour la livraison du tramway". Algérie Focus. 7 January 2010. Archived from the original on 23 June 2024.
  22. ^ "La livraison du tramway de Constantine retardée à fin 2012". Maghreb Emergent. 15 March 2011. Archived from the original on 23 June 2024.
  23. ^ "Alors que les travailleurs entament leur 2e semaine de grève - Les travaux du tramway de Constantine sérieusement affectés". Le Temps d'Algérie. 20 March 2011. Archived from the original on 23 June 2024.
  24. ^ "Le projet devrait être livré en 2012 - Le tramway de Constantine, cet éternel chantier". La Tribune. 18 May 2011. Archived from the original on 23 June 2024.
  25. ^ a b c "Alstom has delivered the first trainsets of the Constantines Citadis tramway". Alstom. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  26. ^ "LES PREMIERS ESSAIS TECHNIQUES PRÉVUS FIN AVRIL - Les Constantinois auront leur tramway en 2012". L'Expression. 8 April 2012. Archived from the original on 23 June 2024.
  27. ^ "Premiers essais techniques et nouvelles ramifications pour le tramway de Constantine". Maghreb Emergent. 1 May 2012. Archived from the original on 23 June 2024.
  28. ^ "Premiers essais du tramway de Constantine - La mise en service prévue pour le premier trimestre 2013". El Watan. 2 May 2012. Archived from the original on 23 June 2024.
  29. ^ "Tramway de Constantine : bientôt des essais entre Benabdelmalek et l'université". El Watan. 16 December 2012. Archived from the original on 23 June 2024.
  30. ^ "Tramway de Constantine : Essais techniques sur l'ensemble du tracé". El Moudjahid. 26 December 2012. Archived from the original on 23 June 2024.
  31. ^ Briginshaw, David (5 July 2013). "Constantine's first LRT line opens". International Railway Journal. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  32. ^ "Sa mise en marche officielle aura lieu le 5 juillet prochain - Le projet du tramway a coûté 44 milliards de dinars". El Watan. 5 March 2013. Archived from the original on 23 June 2024.
  33. ^ a b c "Alstom to extend the Constantine Tramway". Alstom. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  34. ^ a b International, Railway Gazette. "Constantine tram extension contract". Railway Gazette International. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  35. ^ a b Smith, Kevin (31 July 2015). "Constantine light rail extension contract awarded". International Railway Journal. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  36. ^ a b "CITAL a expédié le premièr Tramway du projet Constantine Extension | CITAL - assemblage et maintenance des matériels roulants ferroviaires". www.cital-dz.com (in French). Archived from the original on 5 March 2017. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  37. ^ Burroughs, David (4 June 2019). "Constantine light rail line extension opens". International Railway Journal. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  38. ^ International, Metro Report. "Constantine tramway extended". Railway Gazette International. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  39. ^ "The Alstom – Cosider Travaux Publics consortium carries out the first dynamic test of the Constantine tram in Algeria". Alstom. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  40. ^ Cuenca, Oliver (25 January 2021). "Dynamic tests completed for Constantine Tramway extension". International Railway Journal. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  41. ^ Clinnick, Richard (2 October 2021). "Phase 2 of Constantine light rail line opens". International Railway Journal. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  42. ^ International, Metro Report. "Constantine tram extension completed". Railway Gazette International. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  43. ^ "Constantine Tramway Infrastructures Subway". Impresa Pizzarotti & C. S.p.A. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  44. ^ "Dates clés - Agence RCP Design Global - transport - industriel - tourisme". www.rcp.fr. Archived from the original on 1 January 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
  45. ^ "Espace Client". setram.dz. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
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36°21′30″N 6°36′20″E / 36.3583°N 6.6056°E / 36.3583; 6.6056