Qatar Railways (Qatar Rail), the company overseeing the construction of the much-anticipated integrated railway network, has awarded four ‘design & build’ contracts worth QR30 billion ($8.23 billion) for phase 1 of the Doha Metro Project.

 

The awarding of these contracts marks a milestone in the development of Qatar Rail Development Program, with the construction of Phase 1 scheduled to begin later this year, and expected to be completed by 2019, said a statement. 

 

The contracts cover the underground sections of: Red Line North (RLN); Red Line South (RLS); Green Line (GRN) and Major Stations (MS)

 

The Red Line North (RLN) project has been awarded to a consortium led by Impregilo SPA, and comprising SK Engineering & Construction and Galfar Al Misnad Engineering & Contracting.

 

The Red Line South (RLS) project has been won by a consortium led by QDVC and includes GS Engineering and Construction Corp, and AI-Darwish Engineering. 

 

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

 

The contract for the Major Stations (MS) project has been won by a consortium led by Samsung C&T Corporation and comprises of Obrascon Huarte Lain S.A. (OHL) and Qatar Building Company. There will be two stations included in this package - one at Msheireb and the other at the Education City. 

 

“Qatar Rail 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,” said the statement. 

 

Doha Metro will be one of the most modern rail networks in the world, it said. The four lines of the Doha Metro will connect major sites in the city, including the Education City, West Bay, Lusail, Hamad Bin Khalifa International Airport and the QNCC.

 

The scope of work for the Red Line North comprises the design and construction of 13 km 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 proposed to bore the required rail tunnels. The tunnels will be built at an average depth of 20 m below ground.

 

The scope of Red Line South contract includes the design and construction of the underground works below central Doha, including six underground stations, between the proposed Msheireb Underground Station and the New Doha International Airport (now known as Sheikh Hamad International Airport) and incorporates the main depot and maintenance facilities. This package will approximately comprise 13.8 km twin bored tunnel at an average depth of 25 m below ground level utilising five tunnel boring machines. The maximum depth point will approximately reach 50 m below ground level. 

 

The Green Line contract comprises 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. There will be eight underground stations, in addition to a 16.6 km twin bored tunnel. The rail tunnels will be built at an average depth of 20 m below ground.

 

Major Stations are a standalone package to focus efforts for what is considered to be the two key stations for the whole integration of the Metro project. The scope of work comprises the construction of two interchange stations.  The excavation for Msheireb Station of approximately 42 m below ground level will be one of the deepest excavations within the project, said the statement.

 

 “Although the tunnelling and the construction of the stations are being executed for the first time in Qatar, Qatar Rail has succeeded in engaging Qatari contracting companies in all consortiums 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,” it said. 

 

There are currently 20 consultancy companies working on these vital projects under the supervision of Qatar Rail, it said. – TradeArabia News Service