DOHA – Qatar Railways has awarded five contracts worth a total of QAR1.5 billion ($ 406.4 million) for phase one of the planned $36 billion metro network in the capital. The first phase of the project consists of 129 km of track, including 22 km of tunnels and 15 stations, divided into a Red, Green and Yellow lines. Three contracts for each line, worth a total of $313 million, have been awarded. US contractor Jacobs Engineering Group is to manage the metro's Red Line, while US-based Louis Berger and French contractor Egis Rail have won the Gold Line and main stations contract and US firm Hill International will manage the Green Line. Hill International confirmed that it had won the Green Line project management contract, which it said was worth US$ 59 million. Meanwhile, an enabling works contract was also signed with Porr-SBG-HBK Group, a division of Qatari firm HBK Contracting, worth QAR 288 million ($79 million). UK-based Lloyd's Register also won a QAR 55 million ($15 million) safety assessment contract for the project. Qatar is improving its transport infrastructure ahead of the 2022 World Cup, which it is hosting. The new metro will link the stadiums for the tournament. – Agencies
