Hochtief Solutions Middle East Qatar has signed a €256-million  ($296 million) contract for construction of the central section of a new sewerage network with Qatar’s Public Works Authority (Ashghal).

The deal to design and build the 14.7-km tunnel was signed together with Al Sraiya Strabag for Roads and Infrastructure and Petroserv signed under the Inner Doha Re-sewerage Implementation Strategy (Idris).

Hochtief’s share in the contract is 45 per cent of the value, a statement said.

The construction contract is part of an extensive refurbishment and expansion of the overloaded sewerage system in the historic south of Doha. The system, which serves an area of 680 sq km, is required to meet the needs of the rapid growth in population. The overall project includes several smaller connections to the existing sewer system.

For constructing the tunnel, two tunnel boring machines will be used. After installation of the tunnel's outer shell, an inner lining will be added to protect the concrete from the aggressive gases by means of an HDPE (high-density polyethylene) membrane, thus ensuring a project life of 100 years.

The sewer tunnel will have an interior diameter of 4.5 m. In addition to the tunnel, shafts up to 45 m deep will be built, some of which will serve as connectors to other Idris construction contracts.

The joint venture is responsible for the execution planning for this demanding project which is scheduled to be completed by the beginning of 2019, a construction period of 45 months.

"After the successful delivery of the Barwa Commercial Avenue project, we are very happy to strengthen our presence in the Middle East through this major project,” said Nikolaus Graf von Matuschka, CEO of the Hochtief Solutions executive board. – TradeArabia News Service