France Rail: LISEA’s New Maintenance Facility & High-Speed Rail Future

“`html

Introduction

LISEA, the concessionaire of the Tours – Bordeaux high-speed line, awarded a consortium led by SPIE Batignolles the contract to construct France’s first private rail maintenance facility. The facility will be located in Marcheprime, Gironde, Nouvelle‑Aquitaine, and is scheduled to host high-speed trains operated by Velvet beginning in 2028.

Contract Award

The consortium, which includes Colas Rail, Colas Mérignac, INEO, and Briand, will build the private maintenance and stabling facility in Marcheprime. Colas Rail will install 3.5 km of railway track, including 6,200 sleepers and 30 switches and crossings. They will also manage signalling, low and high voltage systems, including 30 switch motors and 70 signals, and a 25 kV / 1.5 kV traction power supply. Furthermore, Colas Rail will handle civil engineering, utilities, and catenary systems, including 30 flexible gantries, 19 section insulators, 3 km of feeder cable, 170 catenary poles, and 600 m of retractable catenary. The scope also covers complete maintenance workshop installations, including a tandem underfloor wheel lathe, a train washing machine, three drainage lines, 28 mobile jacks, and an ultrasonic test bench.

Strategic Significance

The new facility will be France’s first private rail maintenance facility. Its location on the Atlantic coast is intended to support the performance, reliability, and safety of rolling stock operating on the Atlantic high-speed line.

Project Timeline

In June 2023, LISEA signed the land purchase agreement for the rail maintenance facility and submitted Planning Permission and Environmental Consent applications. A consultation campaign with local residents took place from September to November 2023.

Company Ownership and Transactions

LISEA, the first private company in France to manage high-speed railway infrastructure, is held by Vinci Concessions (33.4 %), the French Caisse des Dépôts (25.4 %), Meridiam (24.4 %), and Ardian (16.8 %). Its concession contract extends until 2061. In spring 2024, Ardian and the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations planned to jointly sell a 26.24% stake in LISEA. Vinci Concessions and Meridiam, already shareholders, aimed to acquire the shares. The transaction was finalized on 9 October 2024.

Network Overview

The SEA line is a 302 km double-track route comprising 9 main high-speed rail (LGV) sections and 8 connections to the non-concessioned national rail network, totaling 38 km.

Conclusion

LISEA awarded a contract to a consortium led by SPIE Batignolles for the construction of a private rail maintenance facility in Marcheprime, Gironde. The facility is scheduled to open in 2028 and will service high-speed trains. LISEA, which is owned by Vinci Concessions, the French Caisse des Dépôts, Meridiam, and Ardian, is also involved in ongoing share transactions.

Company Summary

Ardian: A shareholder in LISEA with a 16.8% stake.

Briand: A member of the consortium building the rail maintenance facility.

Caisse des Dépôts: A shareholder in LISEA with a 25.4% stake. Intended to sell a stake in the company in spring 2024.

Colas Mérignac: A member of the consortium building the rail maintenance facility.

Colas Rail: A member of the consortium building the rail maintenance facility and responsible for track and system installations.

INEO: A member of the consortium building the rail maintenance facility.

LISEA: The concessionaire of the Tours – Bordeaux high-speed line, managing the infrastructure. Held by Vinci Concessions, the French Caisse des Dépôts, Meridiam, and Ardian, with a concession contract until 2061.

Meridiam: A shareholder in LISEA with a 24.4% stake. Intended to acquire a stake in the company in spring 2024.

SPIE Batignolles: The lead of the consortium awarded the contract for the construction of the rail maintenance facility.

Velvet: The new railway operator that will operate high-speed trains, beginning in 2028.

Vinci Concessions: A shareholder in LISEA with a 33.4% stake. Intended to acquire a stake in the company in spring 2024.

“`