Name and Location
Awash-Kombolcha-Weldia railway line project, Ethiopia.

Client
Ethiopian Ministry of Transport.

Project Description
The 400 km Awash-Kombolcha-Weldia railway line is part of a five-year growth and transformation plan being implemented by the Ethiopian government to provide efficient mobility, facilitate trade and strengthen the economy.

The railway line will connect the northern and eastern traffic corridors of Ethiopia, through Kombolcha and Weldia/Hara Gebeya in the north. It will also connect to the line linking Addis Ababa to the Port of Djibouti. This will enhance passenger travel and trade, reducing travel time to the port by 50%.

Value
Not stated.

Duration
The project is scheduled for completion in 2017.

Latest Developments
ABB has been awarded orders worth an estimated $16-million by leading Turkish transportation infrastructure company, Yapı Merkezi Construction and Industry, to supply traction substations and auxiliary power supply for the new rail corridor.

ABB will design and supply engineered equipment packages for five 230/25 kV traction substations, eight section posts and about 30 auxiliary substations.
Key products to be supplied include a range of high- and medium-voltage switchgear, traction transformers rated at 25 MVA, power-factor correction transformers, FSK II+ railway circuit breakers and auxiliary power supply equipment.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
ABB (design and supply engineered equipment packages).

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Ethiopian Ministry of Transport, tel +251 11 551 6166, fax +251 11 551 5665 or email motr@motr.gov.et.
Yapı Merkezi Construction and Industry, tel +90 216 321 90 00, fax +90 216 321 90 13 or email kurumsal.iletisim@ym.com.tr.
ABB corporate communications, Thomas Schmidt, or Antonio Ligi, tel +41 43 317 7111.