Saudi Arabias Arriyadh Development Authority (ADA) has awarded three contracts totalling US$22.5bn for the construction of a 176km six-line metro network in Riyadh
At US$9.5bn, the largest contract was awarded to the BACS consortium led by US contractor Bechtel to design and build lines one and two, covering 63.3km. The consortium partners also included Almabani General Contractors, Consolidated Contractors Company and Siemens.
Spain?s FCC led the FAST consortium which was awarded a US$7.8bn contract to deliver lines four, five and six, covering 72.5km. The consortium included Samsung, Alstom, Strukton, Freyssinet Saudi Arabia, Typsa and Setec.
A further US$5.2bn contract was awarded to the Arriyadh New Mobility consortium, which consisted of Salini Impregilo, Ansaldo, Bombardier, Larsen & Toubro and Nesma. These companies will build the longest line of the new underground network, the 40.7km-long line three.
The network will feature 85 stations and operate with driverless electric trains. Construction will be scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2014.
ADA president Ibrahim Bin Muhammad Al Sultan said that the metro system was the biggest infrastructure project that Saudi Arabia had ever undertaken.
Bin Muhammad Al Sultan added, ?Riyadh today is one of the world?s fastest growing cities and our citizens deserve a world-class public transport system to enhance their quality of life. The project will be a major driver of employment and economic development. It will also help to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality.?
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