Minister of Transportation Kamel El-Wazir made the announcement on Wednesday during an inspection tour at the worksites of the third phase of the third line which — after completion — will link the eastern and western Cairo line, covering 17.7 kilometres through 15 stations (eight tunnel stations, five elevated stations, and two at-grade stations).

The first part of the three-part third phase runs for four kilometres, passing through four stations — Gamal Abdel-Nasser in Downtown Cairo, Maspero, Safaa Hegazy in Zamalek, and Kit Kat in Imbaba.

The Kit Kat station is built in three storeys over 3,800 square metres and is 23 metres deep.

Nasser station — which is an interchange station that connects the third line with the first metro line — is built in four storeys over 7,100 metres with 52 ticket gates, four ticket vending machines (TVM), and 37 electric stairs.

The station is also fitted with extra facilities to accomodate people with disabilities.

According to the Egyptian cabinet’s estimates, after the completion of the third phase, the underground network will serve 3.5 million people daily.

The third line will connect Greater Cairo with 6 October City, the New Administrative Capital, and the eastern Cairo cities of Shorouk, Obour, and Mostaqbal.

The second part of phase three will extend over an area of 6.6 kilometres from Kit Kat to Rod El-Farag Corridor, including six stations — Sudan Street, Imbaba, El-Bohy, Ring Road, and Rod El-Farag Corridor stations.

This part will be linked via the Ring Road station with a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system that will run through the 106-kilometre Ring Road, the minister pointed out.

The third part of phase three will extend over an area of 7.1 kilometres from Kit Kat to Cairo University, including five stations — El-Tawfiqiya, Wadi El-Nile, Gamaet El-Dowal, Cairo University, and Bulaq El-Dakrour.

As part of the country’s efforts to expand the use of sustainable green mass transit networks, Egypt seeks to complete the subway network in parallel with the implementation of new electric traction projects, such as the fast electric train network, light rail train (LRT), and monorail projects, which are all currently under construction, said El-Wazir.

The third line is also meant to connect the Administrative Capital monorail at El-Estad Station in Nasr City and the 6 October City monorail at the Nile Valley station.

Egypt has handed over the management, operation, and maintenance of its Cairo Metro’s third line to French transportation firm RTP Dev.

The first and second phases of the third line were concluded in 2012 and 2013, respectively.

Work on the last part of the fourth phase of the third line is scheduled to be completed soon as well.