Dessau Has Obtained a Major $38.8M Rail Project in Algeria

MONTREAL , Feb. 2 /CNW Telbec/ - Dessau, one of the largest engineering-construction firms in Canada , today announced that it obtained a contract of $38.8 million in Algeria's rail sector. The firm will conduct the preliminary and final design for the design and construction of a new 170 km electrified double track between the cities of Bordj Bou Arréridj and Thénia in Algeria's northeast. This contract is part of a project totalling $2.3 billion tabled by the National Agency of Studies and of Follow-up of the Realization of the Railway Investment (ANESRIF).

"This mandate strengthens our presence in Algeria , where we have already successfully completed major engineering-construction projects," stated Jean-Pierre Sauriol, president and chief executive officer of Dessau. "We are honoured that our solid expertise in the rail sector as well as our approach to services are internationally recognized in this way."

The consortium comprising China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and Turkish partner Ozgun Construction was awarded the mandate and chose Dessau to conduct the studies into the operation of a mixed service (passenger and freight), with trains reaching speeds of up to 160 km/h. "Our project team, based in Algiers , will primarily be mandated to define and design a modern track in order to reduce the time it takes to travel between Algiers and Constantine," emphasized Jean-Stéphane Bédard, vice-president of Dessau's Transportation Division. "Dessau, which will benefit from the talent of about 50 Canadian and Algerian engineers, demonstrates its tremendous ability to adapt and its international positioning by participating in this project, led by the Chinese in partnership with the Turks, in Maghreb."

Furthermore, Dessau will be responsible for designing engineering works (bridges, viaducts, underpasses and overpasses), drainage structures, reconstruction of roads and railways, signalling and telecommunications facilities, and infrastructure and equipment for electrifying the track, and defining the features of tunnels and their equipment.

About Dessau

Founded in 1957, Dessau is the second largest engineering-construction firm in Quebec , the fifth largest in Canada and one of the 100 largest in the world. Dessau has expertise in a large number of areas of activity related to engineering and construction, allowing it to plan, design, build and manage all infrastructure required by its private and public sector clients. The firm employs 4,300 people and has annual sales of $600 million . The firm has regional offices in Quebec and Ontario, as well as several countries, primarily in Maghreb, Central America , South America and the Caribbean.

For further information: Nadia Paquet, NATIONAL, [phone]; Source: Jessie-Kim Malo, Dessau, [phone], ext. 1380