Improving the Atlantic rail route connecting northern Europe and the Iberian Peninsula

This project is one of the biggest of its kind in Europe. It involves the construction of a new 302 kilometers long high-speed link between Tours and Bordeaux, and 38 kilometers of connecting lines to the existing rail network.

Our approach

Under a consortium contract with VINCI, Arcadis: 
• Managed the group of designers involved in this part of the project, coordinating the final infrastructure design for two of the 15 geographical segments of the line, including a rail link of 40 km 
• Managed the design of seven concrete main bridges, handling associated administrative procedures, geotechnical investigations and the execution of drawings approvals 
• Undertook the design and external control of more than 250 main bridges, as well as the design of two segments of earth and civil works including earthworks, access restoration, hydraulics and environmental work, and two railway connections for about 60 kilometers.

The outcomes for the client

Arcadis ensured the services were delivered on time, while integrating the optimizations that arose from discussions with the constructor and consultations with the local stakeholders and authorities. Delivering high quality on time within a challenging timeframe is a major goal for the purpose-built companies responsible for designing, building, operating and maintaining this new high-speed line. “Arcadis and VINCI have a long record of partnership and working with a good confidence level. Arcadis had been participating at tender phase in the public-private partnership offer led by VINCI. Participating in the design phase was decided already at tender stage.”