The Flemish public transport operator De Lijn, the Flemish Roads and Traffics Agency, and the City of Antwerp (Belgium) have granted the contract for the Brabo 2 tram PPP project to TramContractors.
Partners in the TramContractors consortium are BAM-PGGM and Cofely Fabricom (ENGIE). The contract value is approximately €200 million (US$214 million).
The Northern tram line project will enable the north of Antwerp to be accessible by tram. The Antwerp Noorderleien boulevards will be reconstructed and transform Opera Square into a city centre landmark and create quality public space at Franklin Roosevelt Place.
A tunnel will be built next to the Opera House to improve the flow of traffic in the area. The Keyserlei, Meir, Kipdorpbrug and Franklin Roosevelt Place will also become better connected, allowing pedestrians and cyclists to move around easily.
The Northern line project will consist of three PPP contracts: a DBFM contract from De Lijn concerning the tram infrastructure, a DBFM contract from the Flemish State (through its Roads and Traffic Agency) concerning the non-tram part (roads) and a DBF contract from the City of Antwerp for a short tunnel, the renovation of a drawbridge, creation of public spaces, underground parking and the construction of 2x10 kilometer rails.
Construction activities will be carried out by BAM companies from Belgium and the Netherlands. Cofely Fabricom will be responsible for all mechanical and electrical engineering activities. Construction will commence in March 2016.
The consortium will also be responsible for the maintenance of the civil works and the availability of the tram system during a 28 year concession period.