Cemex concrete for ‘green’ tramline

643 Cemex in France has supplied 40,000m³ of concrete for 26.6km of tracks and overlays for a 13.3km long ‘green’ tramline in Le Havre, France.

For the first time in France, the wheels of the tram will run on concrete beams that will provide greater clearance from the ground, which promotes grass growth and reduces spray between the tracks.

The Y-shaped route for the tramline connects the west and east stations of the city with the centre of Le Havre before following a single line to the Port Océane station. The route enables 90,000 inhabitants, or one-third of the population, to access one of the 23 stations along the tramline in less than five minutes’ walk.

Of the 40,000m³ of concrete provided by Cemex to the tramline building site, 7,000m³ were allocated to filling-in cuttings and foundations for the overhead contact line that supplies power to the trams.

The majority of the concrete, 33,000m³, was for the 13.3km of track platform. The track was raised on concrete beams, creating a trough about 50cm high, which, once filled with earth, provides an ideal space for the natural expansion of vegetation. The concrete beams were poured by Cemex in two 25cm-high layers to allow better stability of the track.