CONTRACTS for construction of a 21·5 km light rail line in the Turkish city of Bursa were signed at the beginning of February. The municipality has selected a consortium led by Siemens Verkehrstechnik, together with Ansaldo Trasporti and three local firms. The deal is valued at DM500m.
The first phase of an eventual 55 km network covers the main route from Gecit to Egitim Cadesi and a branch along Izmir Yolu (RG 1.97 p12). It includes a 3·7 km cut-and-cover tunnel under the city centre. Construction is expected to take 30 months.
Siemens will undertake project management and systems integration, and provide the power supplies, overhead catenary, depot and workshop equipment. Its Turkish subsidiary Simko will be responsible for local procurement and installation of E&M equipment supplied by other consortium members. Siemens will also supply 48 vehicles 30m long, in conjunction with local manufacturer Tuvasas, bringing its share of the contract to DM250m.
Turkish construction company Guris will be responsible for civil works and ’related construction’ to a value of DM150m. Signalling and automation equipment will come from Ansaldo Trasporti for DM80m - the line is designed to handle four-car trains running at up to 80 km/h on 2min headways. o
