Saudi Arabia awards US$ 22.5 billion metro contracts

Saudi Arabia’s Arriyadh Development Authority (ADA) has awarded three contracts totalling US$ 22.5 billion for the construction of a 176 km, six-line metro network in the capital, Riyadh.

At US$ 9.5 billion, the largest contract was awarded to the BACS consortium led by US contractor Bechtel to design and build lines one and two, covering 63.3 km. The consortium partners also include Almabani General Contractors, Consolidated Contractors Company and Siemens.

Meanwhile, Spain’s FCC leads the FAST consortium which was awarded a US$ 7.8 billion contract to deliver lines four, five and six – covering 72.5 km. The consortium includes Samsung, Alstom, Strukton, Freyssinet Saudi Arabia, Typsa and Setec.

A further US$ 5.2 billion contract was awarded to the Arriyadh New Mobility consortium, which consists of Salini Impregilo, Ansaldo, Bombardier, Larsen & Toubro and Nesma. These companies will build the longest line of the new underground network, the 40.7 km line three.

The network will feature 85 stations and operate with driverless electric trains. Construction is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2014.

Ibrahim Bin Muhammad Al Sultan, ADA president and Member of the High Commission for the Development of Arriyadh said the metro system was the biggest infrastructure project that Saudi Arabia had ever undertaken.

“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 RPTP will be a major driver of employment and economic development. It will also help to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality,” Mr Bin Muhammad Al Sultan said.