Beneath the lively streets of Cairo, a technically ambitious infrastructure project is taking shape with the construction of the new Giza Station on Metro Line 4 – set to be one of the deepest metro stations in North Africa, reaching depths of up to 81 m.
Orascom Construction PLC has tasked BAUER EGYPT S.A.E., a subsidiary of BAUER Spezialtiefbau GmbH, with carrying out specialist foundation engineering works. Construction began in November 2024 and is scheduled for completion by December 2025.
Two special foundation techniques are in use: approx. 49,000 m² of diaphragm walls and 7,400 m² of barrettes, some reaching 81 m in depth.
A BAUER MC 96 duty-cycle crane is being deployed in double shifts, six days a week.
As of May 2025, 84 out of 209 diaphragm wall panels have been completed. The full station will span around 5,543 m².
“At this size and depth, there’s zero tolerance for deviation – every centimetre counts,” said Karim Galal, project manager at Bauer Egypt.
“The BAUER Construction Process provides us with a clear structure and guidance. It ensures that everyone involved in the project works to the same standards and helps us achieve our goals on time.”
Tight space and coordination constraints mark this project. Parts of the site are still in use until November 2025 to backfill an existing tunnel, allowing for further excavation.
“We’re working under highly unusual conditions with extremely tight space and immense time pressure,” Galal said. Notably, the tunnel boring machines are operating one above the other, a first in Egypt.
“The logistics, the depth, and the constant coordination with other trades present daily challenges, but that’s exactly what makes this project so special,” added Galal. The foundation engineering phase is expected to wrap up by year-end, paving the way for a significant upgrade to Cairo’s urban mobility.
Cairo Metro’s deep challenge: Giza Station foundation work underway
