Alain Balan, a consultant and former head of major infrastructure projects with rail group SNCF, has been appointed as President of the French Tunnelling and Underground Space Association (AFTES). He will serve a three year term and succeeds Jean Philippe.
Balan led tunnel construction work at Fontenay, Sceaux and Villejust on the French TGV high speed rail line in the 1980s. Over 1999-2000 he was director of the Paris, Express Subway, Line E (EOLE) Project, then set up SNCF’s department for major infrastructure projects. In the 1970s, his early SNCF work included tunnel rehabilitation.
With a specialist focus on geotechnical activities, he now operates as a consultant in infrastructure engineering and project management. He was elected as President by the Board of AFTES at its meeting on 16 January.
