Doha, Jun 24 (Gulf Times): Construction has started on the first underground metro station, which will be the terminus for the future Doha Metro line, a source said yesterday.

The New Doha International Airport (NDIA) Terminal Metro Station is designed by Mott MacDonald, a global management, engineering and development consultancy.

The Metro line is to provide the rail link between Doha city and the NDIA main terminal.

Mott MacDonald was commissioned in 2008 by Qatar (represented by the NDIA Steering Committee), to develop designs for the metro connection from the New Doha International Airport to the wider Doha network.

The project included developing a metro system based on conservative parameters and space proofing of 1.3km single track twin-bored tunnels and a 305m-long by 25m-wide and 20m-deep “cut and cover” underground station.

During the preliminary design of the station box, Mott MacDonald’s team developed plans and designs, with support from sub-consultants Aedas, taking into consideration future requirements of the metro rail systems, passenger experience and safety aspects, station operations and associated facilities for the future station fit-out. This also covered engineering disciplines of rail alignment and systems, fire safety, civil and structural, electrical and mechanical engineering as well as station architecture.

Mert Yesugey, Mott MacDonald’s project manager, said: “Mott MacDonald developed the detailed design of the fully space-proofed structural shell of the station box to a tight schedule for the substantial completion of the structure ahead of the airport opening, including sectional handover of the ground level to others for completion of the above ground infrastructure in time for the airport opening in 2011.

“The provisions for the station box also included temporary electrical and mechanical systems to facilitate the maintenance, inspection and security of the station box during the interim stage until the station becomes fully operational.  We are currently providing construction support services to NDIA on site until the completion of the station box construction anticipated in 2011.”

According to initial plans, the first section of the Metro runs 30km from the under-construction Lusail megaproject to the New Doha International Airport. Four further sections run a total of 55km.

“The Doha Metro rail will provide an effective solution to the city’s growing traffic problems,” a senior official of the Invensys Rail (Mena region) has said.

Speaking at a recent conference in Doha, Ala Ghanem, regional director of Invensys Rail, said the successful introduction of a metro service in Dubai and plans to develop similar facilities in other GCC states had proved the need for an efficient and effective public transport network in the entire region, including in Qatar.

“Even though the Doha Metro project’s costs will be enormous, its benefits will be numerous,” he said.
Ghanem estimated the project’s cost at about $7bn, at the current level.