QAR 30bn contracts put Doha Metro on right track

The construction of Phase One is scheduled to begin later this year and expected to be completed by 2019, Qatar Railways (Qatar Rail) said 4 June 2013.

The four contracts relating to Phase One comprise the following underground sections - Red Line North (RLN), Red Line South (RLS), Green Line (GR) and Major Stations (MS).

The RLN project is being awarded to a consortium led by Impregilo, and comprising of SK Engineering and Construction Company and Galfar Al Misnad Engineering & Contracting.

The RLS project is being awarded to a consortium led by QDVC and includes GS Engineering and Construction Corporation and Al Darwish Engineering.

The contract for the GRN project is being awarded to a consortium led by PORR Bau and includes the Saudi Binladin Group Company and the Hamad Bin Khalid Contracting Company.

The fourth contract awarded relates to the major stations project. There will be two stations included in this package-- one at Msheireb and the other at the Education City. This contract is being awarded to a consortium led by Samsung C&T Corporation and comprises of Obrascon Huarte Lain (OHL) and Qatar Building Company.

"The awarding of these contracts is a very important and essential stage for the development of Qatar Rail Development Programme (QRDP)," Qatar Rail said.

The company said it was working hard to start construction by the year's end, so that the first phase operations could begin by 2019.

"This is a big step towards putting Qatar Rail into operations and moving forward with the work ahead of us as we build the future of Qatar, inspired by the vision of HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani to develop the country's rail industry" Qatar Rail said.

Qatar Rail said it "is committed to achieving the highest international standards in creating this signature project in national development that will become an international legacy for Qatar for generations to come".

Doha Metro will be one of the most modern rail networks in the world. The four lines of the Doha Metro will connect major sites in the city including Education City, West Bay, Lusail, the Hamad International Airport and the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC).

According to Qatar Rail, the tenders saw intense competition that enabled Qatar Rail to get "competitive bidding".

The awarding of these contracts marked an important step in the implementation of one of the largest infrastructure projects in Qatar.

"The project aims to design, develop and operate an integrated and world class rail system as part of Qatar's development plans," Qatar Rail said.

The scope of work for the RLN involves design and construction of some 13km twin-bored tunnel, including seven underground stations, between the proposed Msheireb Underground Station and Doha Golf Course via Doha West Bay.

For this, four tunnel boring machines are to be used for the required rail tunnels. The tunnels will be built at an average depth of 20 metres below ground.

Similarly, the scope of RLS contract comprises the design and construction of the underground works below central Doha, including six underground stations, between the proposed Msheireb Underground Station and the Hamad International Airport and incorporates the main depot and maintenance facilities.

This package will approximately comprise 13.8km twin-bored tunnels at an average depth of 25m below ground-level, utilising five tunnel boring machines. The maximum depth point will approximately reach 50m below ground level.

Qatar Rail said the Green Line contract involves the design and construction of the underground works below central Doha and to the west of the city, between the proposed Msheireb Underground Station and through to Al Rayyan Stadium. In all, there will be eight underground stations, in addition to a 16.6km twin-bored tunnels. The rail tunnels will be built at an average depth of 20m below ground.

Major stations, a standalone package, comprises the construction of two interchange stations. The excavation for Msheireb Station of approximately 42m below ground level will be one of the deepest excavations within the project".

"All the technical and commercial committees worked in the past months diligently with full transparency to ensure the awarding of contracts for the best alliances technically and commercially," Qatar Rail said.

It said though the tunneling and construction of rail stations are being executed for the first time in the country, Qatar Rail has succeeded in engaging Qatari contracting companies in all consortia of the awarded contracts.

"Local companies joining with international contractors in a joint venture like this helps Qatari companies to further enhance their skills and capabilities and encourages the transfer of knowledge and expertise," Qatar Rail said.

"The entire project features a sustainable design that consumes fewer resources, generates less waste, costs less to operate, and achieves a reduced carbon footprint", Qatar Rail added.