EGYPTIAN President Hosni Mubarak formally inaugurated the third phase of Cairo metro Line 2 at the end of April. The 5 km extension carries the line below the Nile en route to the southwestern suburb of Giza.
Starting from the interchange with Line 1 at Sadat, the Line 2 extension runs under the Nile in a 4 km bored tunnel to the west bank station at El Dokki. It then turns south and rises to the surface to run at-grade for the last kilometre to Cairo University. The three intermediate stations at El Opera, El Dokki and El Behoos are all in cut-and-cover boxes.
Construction of the 18·5 km Line 2 is being undertaken by the Interinfra consortium which includes Alstom and Systra. Work is under way on the final section from Cairo University to Giza Suburban, which is scheduled to open next year. This will parallel ENR’s Upper Egypt main line, to which interchange will be provided at Giza Station.
