Brest Tram Line B: new infrastructure comes into service
ETF’s catenary teams contributed to the construction of Line B of the Brest tramway by carrying out all the catenary work for this infrastructure. The project, which began in December 2023, proceeded according to schedule, culminating in the line’s entry into service on 14 February. The project was led by Brest Métropole, the project owner, with Mobi Brest acting as project manager.
A new key transport link at the heart of the city
This line connects Brest railway station to the Cavale Blanche University Hospital, passing through the city centre, the university campus and the Bellevue neighbourhood. Stretching 5.1 kilometres, it has 11 stations, takes 17 minutes to complete the journey and is connected to tram line A and electric bus line D, providing an efficient alternative to private cars for more than 420,000 residents.
A challenging project
As part of this project, ETF’s teams installed 11 kilometres of overhead contact line (OCL), which is essential for supplying power to the tramway. The work was carried out in a densely populated urban environment, under challenging technical conditions characterised by steep gradients of up to 7 per cent and numerous curved sections. These constraints required a high degree of precision in the installation and adjustment of the equipment, with significant challenges in terms of quality and meeting deadlines.
Mandataire du marché et en charge de la partie LAC (Ligne Aérienne de Contact), nos équipes ont œuvré aux côtés de Actemium Brest assurant le lot CFO (Courants Forts) dans le cadre du marché Énergie porté par le groupement VINCI.
A well-organised mobilisation of human and material resources
During the construction phase, up to twenty specialist operators were deployed simultaneously, supported by eight road-rail vehicles.
The project also stood out for its strong social dimension: 130 % of the work placement hours planned for the project were completed, representing the equivalent of two full-time jobs over the entire duration of the works, thereby boosting local employment and strengthening the project’s roots in the local community.
The opening of Line B goes hand in hand with the urban regeneration of the Bellevue neighbourhood and enhances the appeal of Brest’s tram network. The overhead line works carried out by ETF have played a key role in ensuring the performance and reliability of this new infrastructure, which is now an integral part of passengers’ daily lives and contributes to the region’s sustainable development.