LISEA, concession holder for the LGV Sud Europe Atlantique high-speed rail line, has awarded a contract to a consortium led by SPIE Batignolles and including Colas Rail, Colas Mérignac, INEO and Briand, for the construction of a private maintenance and storage site at Marcheprime (Gironde). This strategic project is set to become the logistics hub of the new Velvet rail operator by 2028, and mark a decisive step in the opening up of high-speed rail transport to competition.
Located on the Atlantic axis, the site will be the first private, independent rail maintenance center in France. " It will play a decisive role in the performance, safety and durability of rolling stock ," emphasizes LISEA.
As part of the consortium, Colas Rail is deploying all its expertise for this major project. The company is responsible for the track, with 3.5 km of rails laid, 6,200 sleepers and 30 turnouts. It is also in charge of the signalling and low/high voltage equipment, including 30 points motors, 70 signals and a dual 25 kV and 1.5 kV power supply implemented in partnership with its signalling subsidiary, SafeRail. For the catenary, Colas Rail is installing 30 flexible gantries, 19 disconnectors, 3 km of feeder, 170 poles and 600 meters of retractable catenary. The roadworks include 120,000 m³ of earthworks, 8 km of drainage and 45,000 tonnes of aggregates. Finally, the maintenance workshop is fully equipped with a tandem pit tower, a washing machine, several emptying lines, 28 mobile trestles and an ultrasonic bench.
" This project illustrates our ability to mobilize all our expertise - track, signaling, catenary, VRD and specialized equipment - in synergy with our partners, to design a sustainable, high-performance and safe site," explains Alexis d'Audiffret, Project Director at Colas Rail.
