Arab Republic of Egypt

Modernization of the Signaling System on the Benha - Zagazig - Ismailia - Port Said Corridor
Loan No: 583 Interest Rate: 3 %
Beneficiary: Egyptian National Railways (ENR) Grace Period: 5 years
Project Cost: KD 80.5 million Maturity: 22 years
Amount of Loan: KD 44.0 million Repayment: 35 semi-annual installments
Date of Board Approval: 2013-04-02 First Installment: 5 years following the first disbursement
Date of Loan Agreement: 1900-01-01 Date of Loan Effectiveness: -

Objectives:

The project aims at raising the level of safety along the Benha – Zagazig – Ismailia – Port Said corridor (line), increasing the number of passenger trains passing on it, and the volume of freight it can handle. This will be accomplished by replacing the existing mechanical interlocking system with a more modern, centrally controlled, electrical interlocking system

Description:

The project, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2016, consists of the supply and installation of the signaling and telecommunications systems to safely manage the line, along with the necessary civil and mechanical works. The project also includes the provision of consultancy services required for the project, and institutional support needed to raise the efficiency of operations of ENR. The project consists of the following main components:

  1. Signaling and Control System: This includes:
    1. Central Control Center (CCC): This includes the supply and installation of all equipment necessary for the operation of the center, which will be constructed in the city of Zagazig and used to operate the entire line.
    2. Local Control Towers (LCT): This includes the construction of 20 local control towers along the line, in order to control the operation of the various signaling equipment included in the project. The LCT’s will be connected to the CCC to enable operators, in the towers, to control the signaling equipment locally in case of failure of the CCC. .
    3. Telecommunications System: This includes the supply and installation of an integrated telecommunications system to connect the CCC with the various LCT’s .
    4. Electrical Supply System: This includes the construction of an electrical system to feed the instruments and equipment located in the CCC and LCT’s, the telecommunications equipment, along with the signaling equipment located along the line. .
    5. Civil Works and Mechanical Equipment: This includes the construction of the CCC and LCT’s, civil foundations for the equipment, excavation works for the cables, along with the supply and installation of air conditioning and fire-fighting equipment. .
  2. Consultancy Services: This includes the supervision of project execution, equipment witness testing, and the preparation of feasibility studies for future projects to improve the efficiency of operations of ENR.
  3. Institutional Support: This includes the supply and installation of equipment, and the design and supply of software programs necessary for modernizing the information systems of ENR, along with the upgrade of the technical capabilities of its staff through supplying its training facility with equipment, tools, software programs, references and periodicals

Financing:

The Arab Fund’s loan covers about 55% of the total project cost. The Egyptian Government is coordinating with several Arab financial institutions to cover most of the gap in financing the project. It will then cover the balance of the project cost and any additional cost that may arise.