Hill International, the global leader in managing construction risk, has received a contract from the European Investment Bank to provide project management and technical assistance support services for the Cairo Metro – Line 3 project, according to Waleed Abdel Fattah, Hill International’s senior vice president and regional manager for Egypt.
Abdel Fattah told Daily News Egypt that the contract is for six years and has an estimated value of approximately €800m.
The Egyptian National Authority for Tunnels (NAT) is constructing this new mass transit system in response to a growing population and escalating traffic and roadway problems. The transit master plan includes six metro lines, two of which are complete (Line 1 and Line 2) and a third (Line 3), which is partially in operation. Line 3 is being constructed in phases. Phase 1 is currently operational, phase 2 is partially operational, and phase 3 has also commenced. Hill International’s scope pertains to the third phase of Line 3 and entails providing technical assistance to NAT.
Line 3 connects Attaba in east-central Cairo with Abbasia and Heliopolis to the northeast. When complete, the line will extend from the northwest of the Greater Cairo area at Imbaba to the northeast, serving the Cairo International Airport. The total length of the line will be approximately 30.6 km, of which 28.1 km is an underground section, and the rest of the line, about 2.5 km, will be on grade.
“Cairo is the largest city in Africa and ranked as one of the most densely populated cities in the world. This metro system will have an immense impact on Cairo’s traffic congestion and the quality of life of its citizens,” said Abdel Fattah. “This is not the first of its kind between the two entities. The company provides the role of technical support and supervision on the implementation of a number of infrastructure projects in Europe, especially with the experience of the company in the implementation of this type of project.”
He added that the total length of the stage is 17.7 km, with 15 total stations, and will be implemented in three parts.
He noted that the project will to be completed in 2022.
He pointed out that the company is working on a package of projects. For example, the company has handed over Hall 2 at Cairo International Airport, as well as the headquarters of ABC Bank in the Fifth Settlement, New Cairo, which will be opened before the end of the current year. In addition, the company delivered the Steigenberger Hotel in Tahrir Square.
He disclosed that the company is also seeking to manage projects in the New Administrative Capital.
He explained that the cost of implementation since the flotation of the pound hiked by about 30% in various projects, which prompted all contractors to demand compensation of the differences of prices, pointing out that his company is trying to balance the demands of contractors and the interest of the investor owner of the project.
