Paris, December 23 – Good news for future users of Line 18 of the Grand Paris Express! The initial tests began on December 18 on the aerial section of this line, located between the Massy – Palaiseau and Christ de Saclay stations. With the commissioning of this section, scheduled for the end of 2026, Line 18 will be the first of the four new Grand Paris Express lines to be inaugurated, ahead of lines 15, 16, and 17.
Line 18: First to Open Among New Grand Paris Express Lines
Due to delays with Line 15 South, Line 18 will ultimately be the first of the four new Grand Paris Express lines to be inaugurated. If all goes as planned, the first section of Line 18, between Massy-Palaiseau and Christ de Saclay, will welcome its first passengers in October 2026. The following year, the section between Massy-Palaiseau and Orly Airport will also be put into service. Finally, it will be necessary to wait until 2030 to connect Christ de Saclay to Versailles – Chantiers.
Construction Progress and Initial Tests
Construction work began in 2020, and the first metro tests started on December 18. A first train circulated on the viaduct, marking a decisive step towards the commissioning of Line 18. For the occasion, teams from the Société des Grands Projets, responsible for the design and construction of the Grand Paris Express, were present to “orchestrate this operation carried out for the first time on an aerial structure of the Grand Paris Express,” according to a press release.
During this important stage, the ability to tow a broken-down train by another is being tested. Braking and acceleration exercises up to 30 km/h are also being conducted. What’s next? Automatic metro operation, scheduled for early 2026, followed by the crucial white run, before the first commissioning of Line 18, between Massy – Palaiseau in Essonne and Christ de Saclay, expected in October 2026.
Line 18: Connecting Key Locations Across Essonne and Yvelines
Line 18 of the Grand Paris Express will cross several communes in Essonne and Yvelines, including Saclay, Orly, Antony, Massy, Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, and Versailles. In total, 10 stations will be served by Line 18. When the first section is commissioned, future users will be able to disembark at Christ de Saclay, Université Paris-Saclay, Polytechnique in Palaiseau, and Massy – Palaiseau stations, offering connections with RER B and C, Transilien Line V, tram T12, and the Massy TGV station. It should also be noted that Line 18 will feature an aerial section of 14 km, between Palaiseau and Saclay, made possible by the construction of a 6.7 km viaduct, the longest viaduct in France.
The Société des Grands Projets is overseeing this ambitious project, which aims to transform public transportation in the Paris region. The new line is expected to significantly improve connectivity and reduce travel times for residents and commuters in the affected areas.
The successful completion of these initial tests brings the Grand Paris Express project closer to its goal of providing a modern and efficient public transport network for the entire Île-de-France region. Further updates on the project’s progress will be provided as more milestones are reached.
Source: https://www.sortiraparis.com/actualites/a-paris/articles/338697-ligne-18-grand-paris-express-inauguration
