Cairo Metro Line 1 and 2 – 250,000 Rawlplug anchors in Egypt’s transport infrastructure

Cairo is one of the most congested cities in the world, and its metro system is the backbone of public transport, carrying millions of passengers daily. Line 1 and Line 2 are essential routes that not only facilitate commuting but also set new engineering standards for tunnel construction in the region.

Line 1 – the first metro in the Arab world and Africa

Opened in 1989, Line 1 was the first metro system in the Arab world and Africa. The route connects Helwan to El-Marg, covering 32 stations over 44.3 km, with 4.7 km running underground.

• Construction began in 1982 with French financial support, and the total cost of the first section reached EGP 473.9 million.
• The line serves 60,000 passengers per hour in each direction, with trains reaching speeds of up to 100 km/h.

Line 2 – the first tunnel under the Nile

Line 2 marked a significant expansion of the Cairo Metro network and was completed in 2000. The route runs from Shubra El-Kheima to Cairo University, with its most notable engineering achievement being the first-ever tunnel under the Nile.

• The tunnel, with an internal diameter of 8.35 meters, was built using two Herrenknecht TBM shields with a diameter of 9.43 meters.
• The total construction cost was €761 million.
• The line utilizes a third-rail power system, distinguishing it from Line 1, which operates with an overhead power supply.

250,000 Rawlplug anchors in the Cairo Metro

A total of 250,000 Rawlplug R-DCL wedge anchors with internal thread and collar were installed across the infrastructure of Lines 1 and 2.

• Line 1 – 100,000 anchors
• Line 2 – 150,000 anchors

The internally threaded wedge anchors were used to secure bases for electrical installations, ensuring stability and durability in the demanding metro environment. The projects were carried out between 1986 and 2005, with Rawlplug solutions contributing to the reliability of one of the busiest transport systems in the world.

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