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Algeria’s national railway SNTF recently awarded a $106.4 million contract to an ALSTOM-led consortium to electrify three rail lines and build three substations near Algiers.

Under its $85.9 million portion of the contract, ALSTOM will install 186 miles of catenary between Algeries and Thenia, Oued Smar and Gué of Constantine, and El Harrach and El Afroun.

Scheduled to be complete by the end of 2007, the upgrade will enable SNTF to improve service in the Algiers suburbs. The railway will operate new electrical multiple unit vehicles — traveling at top speeds of 75 mph — along the lines. SNTF expects annual ridership to increase from 20 million passengers to 60 million by 2020.