RAIL RENEWAL FOR THE RER B AND D LINES AT GARE DU NORD STATION

At the end of 2020, ETF’s Paris Nord sector is renewing 6.3 km of track and replacing 18 half-points on the RER B and D lines at Gare du Nord station (75).

This operation is essential due to the high volume of RER traffic, which requires much more frequent track maintenance, with rails being replaced every six years.

Just-in-time construction

To avoid impacting users, the work is carried out at night when the RER is not running. Our operational staff have very little leeway and can only work on the track between 1:30 a.m. and 3:50 a.m.

In order to complete the entire project on time, more than thirty people and four excavators are mobilised every night.

Significant logistics for the smooth running of the works

The work is being carried out exclusively underground with very limited access to the outside. In order to enable the teams to work efficiently, it took no less than two weeks to supply all the equipment, tools and machinery.

In order to guarantee good air quality for the operational staff working in the confined space of the tunnel, a large ventilation system has been installed. ETF teams installed four powerful fans at the entrance to each track at PK 0. The blown air pushes smoke, gas and dust towards the tunnel exit, where other SNCF fans evacuate it to the outside.

This renewal project, which began in early October 2020, will be completed in mid-December with the filling and removal of equipment.