Société du Grand Paris in France has awarded the Paris Metro line 18 construction contract to a consortium formed by Ferrovial, Spie Batignolles Génie Civil and Spie Batignolles Valérian.

The project involves development of 6.7-kilometer-long underground section of Metro line 18 connecting Saint-Quentin Est and Versailles-Chantiers stations in Western Paris. The consortium will be responsible for underground boring works as well as 3 stations and 8 ancillary infrastructures. The estimated contract value is EUR438 million (US$476 million).

The project is expected to create close to 350 jobs, and at least 10% of work hours will be allocated to people who are currently unemployed. The project is part of the Grand Paris Express program, which involves adding 68 new stations and 200 kilometers of track to the Paris underground railway.