14 June 2013
Three consortiums are in the running to deliver Riyadh’s new, $7bn Metro system, according to the High Commission for Riyadh Development (HCRD).
According to Arab News, the organisation said in a statement that the "major global consortiums" had all submitted bids.
It added that the commission was now analysing the bids and that the results will be announced in the "near future".
The ultimate decision over the successful bid will be taken by HCRD President and Riyadh Governor Prince Khalid bin Bandar.
Austrian construction giant Strabag pulled out of the bidding process in April, citing "complexity of the project".
According to InfraPP World, the remaining three consortia are led by France’s Vinci, Canada’s Bombardier, and Spain’s FCC Construccion.
The six-line network will contain 85 air-conditioned stations, including main stations Downtown (Qasr Al Hokm) Olaya and King Abdullah Financial District, which will serve as line intersections.
There will be four other transfer stations and five stations with major park-and-ride facilities.
The winning designs for the main stations from architects Zaha Hadid, Snohetta and Gerber Architekten were revealed last month.
Sources: Construction Week Online, InfraPPP World
