Qatar to spend US$40 billion on air, sea port and road network expansion
Time:2015-09-24
Browse:79
The plan is part of a US$40 billion investment in transportation infrastructure projects that also include the construction of the Doha Metro, a long distance freight network, and a new expressway, says officials speaking at the fourth annual Qatar Transport Forum.
A plan to expand Hamad International Airport (HIA) for $8 billion was also unveiled. NDIA Steering Committee project director Peter Daley said the upgrade involves the expansion of the main terminal and concourse D and E, reported Arabian Supply Chain, London.
Qatar Rail`s chief of service delivery Andrew Tailor said Qatar`s $20 billion-plus integrated transport plan, which includes 21 tunnel boring machines being used on the Doha Metro project, a world record.
The project so far has seen 50 kilometres of tunnels completed. A total of 26,000 workers are employed on the project, equating to 78 million man-hours worked as of the end of last month.
Work on the Lusail tram scheme is even more advanced, with four of the five at grade stations completed, while the tender for the first phase design and build of the long distance freight and rail network will be issued to contractors early next year.
On the roads side, manager of highway projects department at Ashghal, Nasser al-Kuwari, presented an overview of the $10.8 billion expressway programme. The massive project involves 1,000 kilometres of new or upgraded roads, and the construction of 240 major interchanges and 360 bridges.