TSO/NGE Win Grand Paris Express Line 18 West: Rail Systems

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Introduction

TSO, a subsidiary of NGE, has been awarded a EUR 65 million contract by Société des Grands Projets for the linear railway systems of Line 18 West of the Grand Paris Express.

Contract Details

The contract encompasses a 9 km section of Line 18 West, which will run between Versailles, Guyancourt, and Montigny-le-Bretonneux. The scope of work for TSO includes the supply and installation of track, the third rail for power supply, and linear equipment such as walkways, dry risers, and cable routes. This work will be carried out along 9 km of double-track tunnel, alongside a 200-meter cut-and-cover section at Saint-Quentin Est station. The line will pass through Guyancourt, Satory, and Versailles – Chantiers stations.

Environmental Considerations

TSO will utilize low-carbon or green rails in alignment with practices already implemented on Line 16. These rails are produced using electric arc furnaces instead of coal-fired blast furnaces. This process is expected to avoid 1.455 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per tonne of rails produced. Furthermore, 95% of the steel used in rail production comes from recycled steel.

Strategic Significance

This new contract is part of NGE’s development strategy, which prioritizes decarbonized mobility. According to Gilles Philibert, TSO Vice President, the company is proud to build essential infrastructure that contributes to the decarbonization of transport.

Project Context and NGE’s Involvement

With the Line 18 West contract, NGE Group has now secured 23 contracts as part of the Grand Paris Express. TSO is responsible for the linear railway systems across the entirety of Line 16. This new contract builds upon the experience gained by NGE teams on Lines 11, 15, 16 and 17, as well as on EOLE, the western extension of the RER E line inaugurated in 2024.

Line 18 Overview

Line 18 will connect the major economic hubs of Essonne and Yvelines, serving Paris-Saclay. The new line is designed to meet the mobility needs of the region. It will offer an alternative for the 65,000 students of the Saclay plateau and will serve the Orly-Rungis economic hub, which has over 70,000 jobs and 1,850 companies.

Conclusion

Société des Grands Projets awarded TSO a EUR 65 million contract for the linear railway systems of Line 18 West of the Grand Paris Express, covering a 9 km section between Versailles, Guyancourt, and Montigny-le-Bretonneux. The project includes the supply and installation of the track, the third rail for power supply, and linear equipment, with a focus on using low-carbon rails. NGE Group has secured 23 contracts as part of the Grand Paris Express, and Line 18 will connect key economic hubs, including Paris-Saclay and Orly-Rungis.