Transportation infrastructure construction service provider Société du Grand Paris has awarded a contract to the consortium of companies led by Vinci Construction to build the viaduct for metro line 18 of the Grand Paris Express in France.

The consortium includes Dodin Campenon Bernard, Chantiers Modernes Construction and Freyssinet, subsidiaries of VINCI Construction, and Fayat Group subsidiary Razel-Bec.

The Grand Paris Express is claimed to be the biggest urban mobility project currently in progress in Europe.

Worth nearly €193m, 20% of the contract will go to SMEs. The agreement also covers all the civil engineering work on the 6.7km engineering structure, with the voussoirs being formed locally.

The viaduct will be constructed towards the middle of line 18, which will connect ten stations between Versailles and Orly airports.

Furthermore, the contract will lead to the development of the Plateau de Saclay, a centre of educational establishments.

The 30-month project will create around ten full-time jobs for people in back-to-work programmes and employ 400 people at its peak.

VINCI will also leverage its endowment fund, Chantiers & Territoires Solidaires, which supports employment and community initiatives located near Grand Paris Express worksites.

Work on the first section of line 18, which is being carried out by another consortium also Ied by VINCI Construction, has commenced.