Paris Metro Line 18

Construction is underway on Paris Metro Line 18, connecting Orly Airport with Versailles Chantiers. Ferrovial was awarded the grant in a consortium with Spie Batignolles. The contract falls under the remit of Europe’s largest infrastructure project: the Grand Paris Express.

The expansion entails the excavation of 6.7 kilometers of tunnel, measuring 9.2 meters in diameter with a useable diameter of 7.8 m. Three stations and eight auxiliary structures between stations Guyancourt and Versailles–Chantiers, to the west of Paris, will also be built as part of the project. The works are part of the Grand Paris Express framework—Europe’s largest infrastructure project—which includes 68 new stations and a 200-kilometer extension of the French capital’s Metro network. With a budget of 428 million euros, the project is expected to be operational in 2030. Preparatory works began in 2022 and major works are ongoing from 2023 to 2027. The project is forecast to complete in 2029, with the year set aside for final refinements only. The tunnel boring machines were set in motion in mid-2024, due for completion in 2026.

Preparatory works began in 2022 and major works are ongoing from 2023 to 2027. The project is forecast to complete in 2029, with the year set aside for final refinements only. The tunnel boring machines were set in motion in mid-2024, due for completion in 2026.

The expansion is expected to create nearly 350 jobs. Some 10% of the man-hours will be designated to people who are currently unemployed; around 40 people will benefit from this initiative in the Yvelines region.

Sustainability Initiatives

The construction process is harnessing electricity from 100% renewable sources with an expected consumption of 25 gigawatts/hour (GWh)—equivalent to the quarterly consumption of a city with 85,000 inhabitants such as Versailles—and an approximate budget of €4M. The tunnel boring machines will account for 13.5 GWh and the remainder will be used for other secondary operations necessary for the construction element of the project. This will prevent 7,396 tonnes of CO2 emissions being released into the atmosphere.

The second-hand tunnel boring machine has been acquired from the developer of the previous stretch of line, representing a significant reduction in carbon footprint.

We are committed to reusing 100% of the sand used. It will be used for mortar in one part of the project, and to produce external concrete in another.

Community relations

In a bid to involve the community living in the area of works we invited local schools to take part in a competition to name the tunnel boring machine.

AWA was the winning submission. Proposed by the students of Paul Eluard school in Guyancourt (the home city of the station), AWA is the Arabic equivalent of the name EVA, and means “life-giving”.

The name also symbolizes the union of cultures: as a palindrome, it can be read from right-to-left or vice-versa.

Locals visit the project

We are organizing visits for local people to see the construction of Paris Metro Line 18, aiming to promote transparency and involve the community in this major development.