Project manager appointed for new Roubaix–Tourcoing tram line

The region of Lille and five adjacent towns in northeast France (population 1.2M) are governed by the Métropole Européenne de Lille (MEL) that is already responsible for the Lille VAL metro, and the two tramlines linking Lille city centre with Roubaix and Tourcoing. 

 

Plans have been made to build a new 22km metre-gauge tramline linking Roubaix (two branches) and Tourcoing. Now MEL has awarded a 10-year contract to TRAMELIS subsidiary Egis to act as project manager to bring the scheme to fruition by 2035. 

 

Serving 45 stops in the communes of Neuville-en-Ferrain, Tourcoing, Roubaix, Wattrelos and Hem, it is planned to offer 6/7-minute headways on three lines, integrated with metro line 2, the existing Mongy tramway and the bus network, with ample Park-and-Ride provision. The aim is to reduce motor traffic in the conurbation by improving passenger transport. 

 

Egis will be responsible for consultation, design, tendering and overseeing construction. This is one of five new tram lines planned by MEL that will add 50km to the existing 17.5km tramway at a cost of EUR 2bn. 

 

A first generation tramway linked Roubaix and Tourcoing until 1956.