By TBY | Qatar | Jun 15, 2014
Qatar is spending billions on improving its infrastructure in an effort to bring it up to an international standard. But these projects are not just taking place in the city […]
Qatar is spending billions on improving its infrastructure in an effort to bring it up to an international standard. But these projects are not just taking place in the city of Doha, as massive national projects are underway as part of the Qatar National Vision 2030.
DOHA METRO
Estimated to cost an initial $8.2 billion, the Doha Metro will stretch 216 kilometers under the city once fully complete in 2026. The network will consist of four lines (Red, Green, Gold, and Blue) and have approximately 100 stations that will connect the town center, vital commercial and residential areas, the new Hamad International Airport, Education City, and Msheireb. In May 2013, Impregilo won the tender to manage the construction of the Red Line North segment for $2 billion, while QDVC and Porr won the $3 billion tender to construct the Red Line South and the Green Line, respectively.
LUSAIL LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT (LRT)
North of Qatar’s capital is the waterfront city of Lusail, a 35-kilometer square development that will house 200,000 people, as well as commercial and retail opportunities. The idea of the LRT is to create an integrated transport system to connect all aspects of the development. The network will be split over four lines and run a total of 30.5 kilometers with over 19 kilometers at ground level, 10 kilometers underground, 1 kilometer above ground level, and 500 meters between two high rise buildings. There will be a total of 34 trains running the track and 37 stations in total, 24 of which are at ground level, 10 underground, one on a bridge, and two connecting the high-rise buildings. The entire project is expected to be completed by 2016.
HAMAD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
The new Doha international airport, due for completion in mid-2014, is set to cover a total area of 29 square kilometers, 60% of which has been reclaimed from the Gulf. The airport will cost $15 billion in total and boost an initial capacity of 30 million passengers rising to 50 million once fully operation in 2015. The passenger terminal will also host 65 gates, 16 lounges, 28 art installations, 100 food and beverage and retail outlets, a hotel, a swimming pool, a spa, and even a squash court.
LONG DISTANCE RAIL
The largest of the transport projects is the national rail system. Once completed, it will spread across 510 kilometers and revolutionize both passenger and freight transportation in the country at a cost of around $35 billion. The Qatar Rail Development Program (QRDP) will connect major population and industrial hubs, as well as join the grander GCC rail network linking Qatar with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain. Passenger trains will travel at speeds of up to 350 kilometers per hour, while freight trains will reach 120 kilometers per hour.
