The contract for Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) involves the design, construction, installation, commissioning, and operation and maintenance of the project.
HLG (operating as Leighton Contracting Qatar WLL) is part of the Siemens Tram Consortium with Siemens WLL Doha and Siemens AG from Germany. HLG’s component of the project is worth QR450m. HLG’s scope of works incorporates the design and construction of track-work, tram-stops and the depot facility, which includes maintenance workshops and administration buildings.
The project will be the first operating rail transport system in Qatar and it represents the start of the country’s US$35bn (£22bn) investment in rail infrastructure over the next 10 years as part of the 2022 FIFA World Cup infrastructure program.
The people-mover system is designed to reduce the flow of traffic within Education City by allowing students to park their cars in purpose-built multi-storey carparks and travel free of charge on a battery-powered tram system to their destination.
HLG CEO and managing director Laurie Voyer said the new project fits with the group’s strategy of pursuing infrastructure work outside its traditionally largest market of the UAE. “Our strategy has been to focus on infrastructure projects where we have a clear competitive advantage. Rail is a key element of this strategy,” he said. “We’re delighted to be given the responsibility for the design and construction of one of Qatar’s first rail projects, and we look forward to demonstrating our rail expertise in what will be one of the world’s largest rail markets over the next decade.
“By successfully delivering this project, we will place ourselves in an ideal position to secure additional work as part of the Doha Metro,” he said.
He added that HLG has been operating in Qatar for more than six years and employs more than 6,000 people across the country.
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