Doha
27 Sep 2016
Qatar Rail

Qatar Rail completed on Sunday 25th September 2016, all tunneling on the Doha Metro project with the final breakthrough taking place at Terminal One of Hamad International Airport (HIA). The first tunnel boring machines started tunneling in July 2014 and the final 111th kilometer was crossed by TBM "Msheireb" on the southern part of Red Line of this landmark mega project.

Celebrating this highly significant milestone at HIA station was Sheikh Abdulla Bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Interior Minister of the State of Qatar, Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti, Minister of Transport and Communications and Vice Chairman of Rail Steering Committee, Qatar Rail, Eng. Abdulla Al Subaie, Qatar Rail's Managing Director and Chairman of the Executive Committee, Qatar Rail's CEO Dr. Eng. Saad al-Muhannadi along with other VIPs and members of management and staff who gathered to watch the final breakthrough.

In order to achieve 100% of the tunneling for the Doha Metro project 470,497 concrete segments were required to produce 70,071 tunnel rings to make the 111 km of tunnels. The overall completion of Doha Metro now currently stands at 50 %.

In his remarks, Minister of Transport and Communications and Vice Chairman of Rail Steering Committee, Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti said that Transportation projects are given great attention under the wise leadership of Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and follow-up and supervision of the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani. That led to a clear vision for implementing the best programs in the country to the benefit of our society.

He noted that the Doha Metro project would form the vital backbone of the integrated public transport system, supported by other Qatar Rail projects such as the Lusail Light Rail Transit and the Long Distance Passenger and Freight Rail, to encourage the use of public transport and services.

Al Sulaiti added that Qatar Rail has made several remarkable achievements. And finalizing tunneling for Doha Metro brings the company one step closer towards making this landmark mega project operational, according to the planned timeline and budget, highest quality standards, use of eco-friendly technologies, best international standards in that unique project that would contribute to national development and become a global legacy for Qatar and coming generations, achieving Qatar National Vision 2030.

He also said the Ministry of Transport and Communications set policies and formulated strategies that contribute to the development of the transportation infrastructure, promote the use of state-of-the-art technologies in transportation projects, and facilitate the movement of passengers and cargo. The Minister stressed that the Ministry is committed to implementing an integrated railroad project that is connecting Doha to all parts of the country and connecting Qatar to rail systems in brotherly countries in the GCC.

Eng. Abdulla Al Subaie, Qatar Rail's Managing Director and Chairman of the Executive Committee said taht Qatar Rail's achievements and its ambitious plans are made possible through the leadership and continuous guidance of Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of the State of Qatar and the Chairman of Rail Steering Committee, and Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti, Minister of Transport and Communications and Vice Chairman of Rail Steering Committee. The end of tunneling marks an impressive milestone in the progress of construction of this important project, and therefore, I would like to congratulate all those involved in making this milestone happen. It has been made possible due to the combined efforts of the entire Qatar Rail team and JV Contractors.

'This is an incredible feat of engineering and I am especially proud that the tunnels have been built to a world-class standard with the very highest standards of quality and safety having been achieved. Tunnelling for the Doha Metro began just over two years ago and has seen a record breaking 21 TBMs work to achieve this milestone. The Doha Metro project is a vital part of Qatar's long term plan to support a growing economy while improving the lives of the country's residents. The achievement of this significant milestones brings us one step closer to its much anticipated delivery."

Commenting on the achievement, Dr. Eng. Saad Al Muhannadi, Qatar Rail's Chief Executive Officer said: "Completion of tunneling on the Doha Metro is yet another major milestone for the project and one we are delighted to have achieved on plan and to schedule. Until now 7.5km of above ground tracks viaducts have been installed and base slab and foundations have been completed on 33 stations. Roofs have been completed on 8 stations and roof slabs are progressing at 27 different stations. We are delighted to have been able to achieve all this within the timelines and budgets allocated and this is due to the hard work and dedication of all parties involved. We look forward to sharing many more milestones with you, especially the arrival of the Doha Metro train mock up later this year."

The 21 state-of-the-art TBMs which saw Qatar Rail recognised by the Guinness World Records for "The Largest Number of Tunnel Boring Machines Operating Simultaneously on a Single Project" were shipped to Doha from the manufacturer - Herrenknecht in Germany to carry out this mammoth task.

Tunneling started in July 2014 on the northern part of Red Line by TBM "Lebretha" in Al Qassar site. During 2016 Qatar Rail has celebrated completion of tunneling on Doha Metro's Red, Green and Gold Lines. Completion of tunneling on the northern section of the Red Line was achieved in March by TBM "Lebretha" which achieved the final breakthrough on this part of the line between Legtaifiya Station and Qatar University (QU).

Following this tunneling on Doha Metro's Green Line was completed in April this year with the breakthrough of tunnel boring machine (TBM) "Al Messila" at Education City station. Whilst Qatar Rail also saw the completion of tunneling on Doha Metro's Gold Line with the final breakthrough on 19th May at Msheireb station.

Dr. Eng. Saad Al Muhannadi went on to conclude that although tunneling has been completed, much still remains to be done, "Now that tunneling has been completed we are moving to the laying of the tracks, awaiting the arrival of the train mockups, and working on the completion of the interiors of the stations with mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) works)."

The first phase of the Doha Metro project is expected to be complete in 2020.

By 2030, all the three networks – Doha Metro, Lusail Tram and the long-distance rail, which will link Qatar with the GCC Rail network – are expected to be complete.

By 2020 Doha Metro's 37 metro stations are expected to be operative, with an average journey time of two minutes between adjacent stations.