The Jeddah branch of the Arab Center for Engineering Studies (ACES) has been awarded the geotechnical investigation works for the preliminary engineering design phase for Jeddah Metro.

The Jeddah Metro is a mega project that comprises several transportation networks including a rail network, a bus network, a marine transportation line, a corniche tram, a suspension bridge and a number of public transportation stations in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The pre-programme management consultancy contract was awarded to Aecom, whereas the preliminary engineering design contract was awarded to Systra. The architectural consultant is Fosters & Partners. The approved budget for the project is $12 billion over seven years, but the cost is expected to increase due to adjustments in the plan.

The project owner is Jeddah Metro Company (JMC) and the consultant (ACES' client) is Systra and Khatib & Alami.

The scope of work for ACES consists of drilling a total of 150 boreholes to depths ranging from 10 m to 45 m below the existing ground surface, installation of piezometers, and performing field and laboratory tests. So far, seven drilling rigs have been mobilised and are operating together with more than 60 qualified staff that have been deployed.

The work undertaken by ACES includes the multimodal iconic station Al Muntalaq, light rail transit (LRT) lines B, C, and D with a total of 37 km and 39 stations, and bus rapid transit (BRT) lines extending a total of 27 km.

ACES has extensive railway site investigation portfolio, and has completed works for other major GCC railway projects including Etihad Rail (UAE), Doha Metro (Qatar, and Riyadh Metro, Makkah Metro, and the Saudi Landbridge (Saudi Arabia), the company said.

ACES Jeddah is also undertaking geotechnical investigation and quality control works for other critical and large-scale projects in the Saudi Western Region such as Jeddah groundwater lowering, water and sanitary networks, Briman Strategic Reservoir, King Abdul Aziz International Airport (KAIA), and King Abdullah Economic City.

ACES was established in Amman, Jordan, in 1983. Today, it boasts a network of 15 offices operating across the Middle East, and more than 1,900 employees. - TradeArabia News Service