On the scorching edge of the Sahara Desert in southern Algeria, towns have long been blocked by vast deserts, with minerals and agricultural products trapped in the hinterland, making it difficult to quickly reach northern ports and the capital city of Algiers. Nowadays, a north-south steel artery is moving from blueprint to reality. With the approval of the Board of Directors of the African Development Bank, funds and hope have been injected into this arid land, and the second phase of the Lagwatt Galdaye Ermeniya railway project has officially received a key infusion of $878.09 million. Under the dormant desert, the roar of trains is about to ring.

Huge amount of funds secured

On July 14th, the Board of Directors of the African Development Bank approved a financing of $878.09 million to Algeria, with a focus on supporting the second phase of the 495 kilometer railway project, namely the Galdaye Ermeniya section. The total length of this section is 230 kilometers, with an estimated total investment of about 1.2 billion US dollars. The funds will also cover the construction of supporting infrastructure and the improvement of institutional capacity. The project is implemented by the Algerian Ministry of Public Works and Infrastructure, and the overall railway project is currently in the international bidding stage. The procurement work for the first phase of the Lagvat Galdaye section, which is 265 kilometers long, has already been synchronized.

Clear design standards

The Geldaye Ermeniya section passes through multiple towns such as Mansoura and Hasilevhele along the way, and three new stations and a large number of engineering structures such as bridges and culverts will be built along the route. According to the plan, the maximum operating speed of passenger trains on this line can reach 220 kilometers per hour, and the maximum operating speed of freight trains is 100 kilometers per hour. After completion, it will significantly reduce the spatial and temporal distance between the southern hinterland and the northern coast. The entire Lagwatt Galdaye Ermeniya railway is the first phase of the 2039 kilometer trans Saharan railway corridor from Algiers to Tamanrasset, which will reach deep into the Sahara and is expected to connect neighboring countries in the future.keywords:Engineering infrastructure

Deep meaning of economic strategy

Agricultural production areas and mineral resources such as phosphate and iron ore are densely distributed along the railway. After its opening, the production center will efficiently connect with the market, significantly reducing logistics time and costs, and driving the rise of agricultural processing, logistics, and construction industries. The head of the African Development Bank in Algeria pointed out that the project is in line with Algeria's national strategy of getting rid of oil and gas dependence and promoting economic diversification, by connecting population areas, mining areas, and ports to improve resource efficiency. In addition, the project will strengthen Algeria's position as a gateway connecting Africa, the Mediterranean, and Europe, while China Railway Construction has successfully opened the Western Railway Mining Line. This bidding also creates a new entry point for Chinese enterprises to deepen their exploration of the North African infrastructure market.Editor/Yang Meiling