Tractebel to lead engineering consortium on Grand Paris Express Line 15 expansion

The Grand Paris Express rapid transit passenger network, one of the largest urban projects in Europe, is expected to ease traffic congestion in the metropolis by 20 to 30%. The network will link the main areas in the suburbs without passing through Paris. The fully automated metro system will considerably shorten journey times throughout the Paris region, while reducing the volume on existing metro lines. It is poised to transform mobility in the Ile-de-France region and have a significant impact on emissions reduction.

Tractebel leads engineering consortium

The design-build contract for the northwest section of Line 15 was recently awarded by Société des grands projets (SGP) to the NGE-Webuild-Equans France construction consortium. This long-term mandate is the culmination of Tractebel and partners’ (GESTE Engineering, BETEM, Amberg Engineering and AIA ingénierie) support to the consortium during a highly complex, competitive dialogue procedure that lasted four years.

Tractebel, leader of the engineering consortium entrusted by client NGE-Webuild-Equans, will be responsible for carrying out the multidisciplinary design studies, in coordination with architects AIA Life Designers, Dubuisson Architecture and Richez Associés. Tractebel is also in charge of BIM coordination for design studies. BIM technology will be used extensively, from design to operational modelling. Our experts and co-contractors will work alongside the construction consortium as Main Engineering Contractor for the next eight years until commissioning, scheduled for late 2031. At its peak, the project will mobilize 1,200 people.

Tractebel’s Urban teams in France have lent their expertise to the massive Grand Paris Express project since 2014, supporting the design of Line 15 (south section) and Line 16.

Bécon-Les-Bruyères, one of four future stations of the northwest section of Line 15 * © Dubuisson Architecture

Designing one of the longest passenger rapid-transit tunnels in the world

The northwest section of Line 15 will cross six communes — Courbevoie, Bois-Colombes, Asnières-sur-Seine, Gennevilliers, L’Île-Saint-Denis and Saint-Ouen – include four new stations – Bécon-les-Bruyères, Bois-Colombes, Les Agnettes and Les Grésillons – and cover seven kilometers. This final section of Line 15 will also feature interconnections to the existing transport network: Transilien, RER, metro, tramway and bus lines. Upon completion, this section will be one of the world’s longest passenger rapid-transit tunnels.

The northwest section of Line 15 features 4 stations, 6 service stations and a 7-km tunnel * © Société des grands projets

Engineering a positive impact

To build the seven-kilometer tunnel, four stations and six service structures along the northwest section of Line 15, numerous measures will be implemented to reduce the project's environmental footprint. These include use of fibre-reinforced and low-carbon concrete, transport of excavated material by river for repurposing, vibration reduction, and retrofitting existing multi-service vehicles. Tractebel and its engineering partners are committed to meeting SGP's environmental ambitions through eco-design and the use of low-impact materials.

Line 15 in its entirety, with its fully automated, 75-kilometre route and 36 stations, will be the longest metro line in France. It will circle Paris like a sustainable mobility ring road, crossing 45 communes and four departments in the Ile-de-France region. Due to its immense potential to reduce the region’s emissions, the project is fully aligned with Tractebel’s purpose of engineering a carbon-neutral future.

The social and economic impact of the Grand Paris Express infrastructure is considerable: supporting economic development, providing better access to employment, businesses and residential areas, opening up socially disadvantaged areas, improving air quality, and contributing to sustainable development by preserving the environment.

“For the Grand Paris Express Line 15 project, Tractebel has put together a multidisciplinary team, alongside our client and partners, to rise to the challenges of this historic and impactful project. We are constantly innovating in our approaches and methods to unite trades and stakeholders from a wide variety of disciplines towards a common objective. Together, we are expanding our expertise in infrastructure, rail and construction, to build sustainable monuments for future generations.”

• Xavier REICHENAUER, Tractebel Project Director
• Hassnae BERKIA, Tractebel Deputy PD and Technical Director
• Théo DAVID, Tractebel Project Management Officer

 * Images are non-contractual perspectives which may evolve depending on the progress of the studies.

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