DLH, the Turkish Directorate of Railways, Harbours and Airports Construction, has announced that Invensys Rail, a division of global technology group Invensys plc, has been awarded the contract to provide the signalling technology for Istanbul’s CR3 Marmaray Project, a 77km commuter line linking Gezbe and Halkali under the Bosphorus.
The value of the contract to Invensys Rail is €195 million (approximately £170 million).
In a joint venture with Spanish civil construction company OHL, Invensys Rail will be responsible for designing and supplying a new signalling and Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system for the line.
The project will utilise a range of Invensys Rail’s state-of-the-art signalling and communication solutions including SIRIUS CBTC (Communication Based Train Control), FUTUR ERTMS Level 1 (European Rail Traffic Management System), WESTRACE interlockings, jointless track circuits, axle counters, LED signals and centralised traffic control.
The contract also includes maintenance for two years with an option to extend it to a further five years.
A core element of Turkey’s ambitious rail investment plan, the Marmaray Project will link the European and Asian sides of the city, upgrading 63km of existing commuter line and laying a further 14km of new line, of which 1.2km will be in a new, immersed tube tunnel.
The complex project involves the replacement of two existing tracks with three new tracks, 40 new and upgraded stations, two operational control centres, new stabling yards, workshops and maintenance facilities.
The entire project is scheduled to start in early 2012 and the first phase is scheduled for completion in October 2013 to mark the 90th Anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Turkey.
When complete, it will connect to the country’s fast growing high-speed rail network where Invensys Rail is completing the installation of ERTMS Level 2 on the recently opened Ankara – Konya line.
Commenting on the award, Kevin Riddett, CEO and President of Invensys Rail, stated:
“We are delighted to be given the opportunity to work on such an important and prestigious project.
“Efficient transport systems are the lifeblood of modern cities and when complete this project will not only significantly improve the day-to-day journeys of millions of people, but also play a pivotal role in the economic development of the city of Istanbul and the Republic of Turkey in general.”
