BRIDGING THE GAPS
The Riyadh Metro will not only revolutionize life in the Saudi capital; as one of the largest infrastructure projects in the world, it will place it among the world's most transportation-innovative cities.
Leading this consortium, we, at Bechtel, have a 70-year history in the country and have worked on many of the nation's major infrastructure projects. The Riyadh Metro project truly is the pinnacle of our experience and participation. The metro is one of the largest infrastructure projects currently being built in the world. The significance of the transformation here in Riyadh will be substantial. The residents of Riyadh will no doubt benefit the most. The city is a sophisticated intersection of government institutions, iconic high-rise developments, diverse economic and business infrastructure, and a sprawling residential base. The metro will represent a way of bringing all these facets together and connecting them from a mobility standpoint. This project will weave together the city's many parts so that every aspect and sector of Riyadh can benefit. It will also boost the country's image. It will be a visible 21st century transportation link that is an international symbol of movement and development. For those within the country, it offers a huge opportunity in terms of efficiency and access. It will be incumbent on the youth of Saudi Arabia to take advantage of this mobility and the efficiencies gained from easier access to governmental and academic institutions and economic opportunity. The Riyadh Metro Project will take key components of 21st century global infrastructure and interconnect them all. Each of the three packages that make up the Riyadh Metro are in themselves megaprojects with immense challenges from a technical and logistical point of view. They are so complex that the only way to approach them is through a consortium. The need to have supply-train system, local knowledge, and global technology each necessitate a consortium structure. Bechtel's fundamental business is bringing together competency and knowledge from around the globe to take on some of the largest engineering and construction projects in the world.
When the project starts operating in 2019, it will be revolutionary. This is more than just about transportation; it can change the whole behavior of the city. It will impact real estate, giving more value to the land surrounding stations. It changes neighborhoods, enhances social life, and changes the look and feel of the city overall. This is even more the case for Riyadh, because we are starting from scratch. In terms of the advantages and changes it will bring to Riyadh, it will also reduce pollution and is more efficient in terms of energy consumption. It will reduce traffic congestion, and when we add the mass bus-transit system as well, there will be a major change in Riyadh. As for challenges, we have experienced and skilled teams familiar with these kinds of jobs, so they have been able to deal with problems without major disruptions. The main problems are dealing with utilities and interfacing with stakeholders. We must also avoid disrupting traffic, which is difficult, and not disrupt water, electricity, sewage, or communication lines. We have to leave the utilities untouched while working at maximum efficiency—that is challenging.
This is definitely one of the most important projects of this kind in the whole world. Despite the initial challenge and huge resources required, it will be a success because it is driven by a clear vision. I am from Salini Impregilo, and we specialize in managing and delivering large-scale complex infrastructure projects such as this one. We have considerable experience in projects of this kind that require not only skills and expertise but also a vision. When vision and planning are well done, the goals were always met. Another example of this is the expansion of the Panama Canal, which we were also involved in. It is common opinion that the Riyadh Metro will positively impact this city, bring better services, and make Riyadh one of the most advanced cities in the world. It will be a breakthrough for citizens and businesses in general. This metro will contribute to the achievement of the Saudi Vision 2030 goals through the promotion of metropolitan economic infrastructure. It will provide rapid and economic public transportation services by easing traffic congestion and reducing pollution by cutting the number of vehicles on city roads.
BRIDGING THE GAPS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Column
YB Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office & Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Brunei
TBY talks to YB Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng, Minister at the Prime Minister's Office & Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Brunei, on the sector.
read articleReview
A Crude Awakening
The Kingdom has made renewables a critical aspect of its ambitious Vision 2030 effort to diversify its economy and wean itself from a strictly carbon-based diet, not to mention empower local businesses and individuals to take up the mantle and lead the energy sector into the next generation.
read articleInterview
Abdulaziz AbdulKarim, Vice President of Procurement & Supply Chain Management (PSCM) , Saudi Aramco,
TBY talks to Abdulaziz AbdulKarim, Vice President of Procurement & Supply Chain Management (PSCM) at Saudi Aramco, on the IKTVA program, supporting local content, and looking back over a successful year.
read articleInterview
Ayman Abdullah Alfallaj, CEO, Thiqah
TBY talks to Ayman Abdullah Alfallaj, CEO of Thiqah, on how the private sector can keep pace with the speed of public reforms, delivering a strong and lasting value proposition, and integrating the fruits of privatization into the public sector.
read articleFocus: Technology Investments
Investment Calling
A technological revolution is underway in the Kingdom. Already one of the most tech-savvy nations in the Middle East, the Saudi market has long sought a thriving domestic technology and innovation scene. And with Vision 2030, it is on course to deliver just that.
read articleReview
A Hejaz Unhindered
An ambitious series of road and rail projects from the Jordanian border down to the Indian Ocean are slated to open in part before the end of 2017. They bring the Kingdom that much nearer to its goal of greater non-carbon-based economic integration with the world.
read articleInterview
Sulaiman bin Abdullah Al-Hamdan, Former Minister of Transport and Minister, Civil Service
TBY talks to Sulaiman bin Abdullah Al-Hamdan, Former Minister of Transport and current Minister of Civil Service, on an attractive legislative framework for investment, railway linkages, and port developments.
read articleInterview
Rumaih M. Al-Rumaih, President, Public Transport Authority (PTA
TBY talks to Rumaih M. Al-Rumaih, President of Public Transport Authority (PTA) & Acting President of Saudi Railway Organization, on teaming up with commercially committed partners, making sure the Kingdom's land and sea bridges are of the first order, and providing employment for all the Kingdom's inhabitants.
read articleInterview
Nabeel M. Al-Amudi, President, Saudi Ports Authority, and Minister of Transport
TBY talks to Nabeel M. Al-Amudi, Minister of Transport, and President of Saudi Ports Authority, on optimally restricting concession agreements, resolving bottlenecks in the logistics chain, and privatizing as rapidly as possible.
read articleInterview
Khaled Bin Abdullah Al Hogail, CEO & Managing Director , Saudi Public Transport Company (SAPTCO)
TBY talks to Khaled Bin Abdullah Al Hogail, CEO & Managing Director of the Saudi Public Transport Company (SAPTCO), on the importance of strong and rational regulations, knowledge transfers, and unifying public and private transportation networks.
read articleInterview
Imad El-Zein, CEO, Auto World-Sixt Saudi Arabia
TBY talks to Imad El-Zein, CEO of Auto World-Sixt Saudi Arabia, on growing market share in challenging circumstances, partnering with world-class players to boost its local presence, and combining better services with lower costs.
read articleInterview
Saleh H. Al-Ghamdi, Acting CEO, Saudi Air Navigation Services Company (SANS)
TBY talks to Saleh H. Al-Ghamdi, Acting CEO of Saudi Air Navigation Services Company (SANS), on maximizing safe and effective services, effectively increasing the rate of Saudization, and easing the pathway of women into the workforce.
read articleInterview
Khalil Kutubkhanah, CEO, Jeddah Development and Urban Regeneration Company (JDURC)
TBY talks to Ibrahim Khalil Kutubkhanah, CEO of Jeddah Development and Urban Regeneration Company (JDURC), on Jeddah's unplanned settlements, the company's redevelopment projects, and its partnership model with the private sector.
read articleInterview
Dr. Khalid Bin Mohammed Al Shaibani, Deputy Minister, Planning and Health & Director of the Vision Realization Office
TBY talks to Dr. Khalid Bin Mohammed Al Shaibani, Deputy Minister for Planning and Health & Director of the Vision Realization Office, on reforms within the Ministry of Health, the corporatization of healthcare provision, and transformations in care delivery.
read articleInterview
Mohanad A. Dahlan, CEO, University of Business and Technology (UBT) Company
TBY talks to Mohanad A. Dahlan, CEO of University of Business and Technology (UBT) Company, on the evolution of the company, education investments, and upcoming sectors that will need support from the sector.
read articleFocus: Universities
Broad and Deep
As part of the continuing decentralization of higher education in Saudi Arabia, individual universities are pursuing their own paths to grow their faculties, engage with various international stakeholders, and ultimately move toward a more privatized future.
read articleInterview
Rafique Izhiman, Area General Manager KSA Jeddah, Yanbu Hotels
TBY talks to Rafique Izhiman, Area General Manager KSA Jeddah/Yanbu Hotels & General Manager, Intercontinental Hotel Group (IHG), Jeddah, on the role the firm plays in the market, expanding its footprint in the country, and expectations for 2017.
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