Station to connect Doha Metro with GCC railway network

Highlighting this at a meeting held on 3 June 2013 at the Doha office of Atkins, the design, engineering and project management consultancy, Qatar Railways Company senior programme director Adrian Shaw said the 'state-of-the-art' station would connect the Doha Metro with the planned Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) railway network.

The meeting was held under the aegis of the Qatar chapter of the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT).

Shaw said the Doha Metro was one of the most prestigious projects being undertaken in preparation for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

He gave an audio-visual presentation on the complex alignment issues via a simulated fly-through of the Metro and the critical interfaces between Qatar Rail and the World Cup stadiums and an outline of the procurement and packaging strategies. The current status of the Doha Metro, Lusail Light Railway and long-distance passenger/freight plans were covered in the presentation.

Shaw explained that the Doha Metro project involved several lines, totalling a distance of around 216km. The Metro, he said, would provide "excellent" connectivity with the new Hamad International Airport and Doha's residential areas, extending up to Al Khor in the north and Mesaieed in the south.

He said the Metro would largely run above ground outside Doha city. Inside the city, it would be an underground facility. "Some demolition will be required in different areas to provide space for station entrances and other critical infrastructure."

An extensive light rail system is planned in Lusail. It will be connected to the Metro network.

Shaw explained how the construction work, including the procurement of materials, rolling stock and other elements, was being put in place in advance so as to reduce the likelihood of shortages and delays.