By CW Staff www.constructionweekonline.com
The tender process for the 300km Doha Metro system may begin as early as next year, with invitations to bid (ITBs) issued during the second half of 2011 according to a senior official.
Speaking to local reporters, Wolfgang Muth, chairman of the German Business Council in Qatar said that, “Germany is actively involved in Doha Metro project, a joint venture between Deutsche Bahn and Qatari Diar Real Estate Company, which will be part of the $42.9 billion railway network project that includes a metro in Doha, an inter-GCC rail link and a railway freight network.”
The Doha Metro will be built in four phases and will have four lines totalling 300km. The four lines will be serviced by 108 stations. It will link the New Doha Airport with major business and conference centres, the new expansive Lusail City, Education City and West Bay areas.
Qatar’s wider integrated rail network will include an east coast rail link, a high-speed service between the New Doha Airport, Doha Port and Bahrain, over the planned Friendship Bridge between the two countries – should the project ever be built. There are also plans for a high-speed (200km) link between Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
If Qatar wins its bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, all projects will be 90% complete in 2021. If not, the deadline for completion is 2026.
