Ashghal signs new construction and consultancy project contracts

On Tuesday, 22/5/2012, Public Works Authority (Ashghal) signed mega contracts for the construction and development of infrastructure and maintenance of roads and buildings. The total cost of the projects amounted to QAR 6 billion and 807 million.

The projects include the following:

1. Lusail Expressway Project:

The QR 3.5 billion contract is for the major project within Ashghal’s Expressway Programme and will provide a vital connection into Doha’s fast growing Lusail Development area which is currently under construction. Existing major development areas such as the Pearl and Katara will also benefit greatly from the project with improved interchanges and better journey times for residents, businesses and visitors to the area.

The contract was awarded to Hyundai Engineering and Construction. CDM Smith was awarded the role of supervision consultant with a QR 89 million contract. With its complex network of tunnels, flyovers and junctions, the Lusail Expressway responds to future traffic demands and delivers a modern road network that will connect people and places with speed and ease. On completion, the 5.3km, dual four lanes, Lusail Expressway will serve the new development areas in the north of Doha. 

The project runs along the existing Lusail Road from south of the Al Wahda (Arch) roundabout extending past the north channel crossing, linking the Lusail Development with the city centre. The project includes three major interchanges which will completely transform the way people move in and around the area:

Al Wahda Interchange: The popularly known Arch Roundabout, will become a three level interchange.

The roundabout will be removed and replaced with the following:

• A dual, three lane underpass connecting Al Dafna area to Lusail
• A traffic signal controlled junction at ground level for Al Wahda traffic and turning movements
• A three lane directional flyover linking Lusail Expressway to the central business district.

The Onaiza Interchange will be a fully free flow interchange built below and above ground on four levels:

• A 600m long dual four lane tunnel  will carry commuters travelling along the expressway beneath the interchange,
• Two lane, free flow links for traffic turning in all directions will be provided
• Onaiza Street will be elevated as a dual two lane flyover.

The Pearl Interchange will become a three level interchange with a future light rail transit tunnel underneath. To provide a visually appealing access to the Pearl Qatar, three levels of this junction will be built below ground level:

• A 1.1km tunnel at a depth of 25m will pass completely under the interchange and provide for a future Light Rail Transit system.
• The main alignment along the Lusail Expressway will also be in tunnel
• Two directional, three lane tunnels will provide free flow access in and out of the Pearl Qatar development
• Local traffic movements will be catered for at ground level.

One of the most significant features of the project will be the extensive artscape and beautification scheme installed along the length of the project. Iconic superstructures at key locations along the route will complete the look of this world class road network, making the Lusail Expressway a true landmark in the region. 

A massive archway structure, visitors centre and cable car are some of the features to look forward to on this scheme. All the tunnels will be enhanced with decorative cladding and feature lighting. The scheme includes two new multi-lane canal crossing bridges which will be enhanced with water features and an iconic gateway arch feature welcoming commuters into the Lusail Development. 

An extensive network of well-lit pedestrian and cycle paths will ensure easy access and safe travel at all times of day and night including dedicated separate structures across the Expressway.

In addition to the road construction and artscape works, a significant upgrade of infrastructure and utility services will also be undertaken. The storm water network with two pump stations, an underground detention tank and two outfalls, foul water, treated sewage effluent, chilled water and potable water systems will all be upgraded.

Electrical utilities, telecommunication networks and surveillance systems will also benefit from significant upgrading works. Significant temporary works and temporary roads are planned as part of the project  to minimise disruption to road users and the local community.  

The Expressway Programme is a nationwide road infrastructure programme that will improve the way people and places are connected across Qatar. 

Supporting Ashghal’s vision of Qatar Deserves the Best, the Expressway Programme will see around 30 major road projects across Qatar including new and upgraded freeways, expressways and arterial roads, a new orbital highway and truck route as well as substantial upgrades to existing roads.

2. Industrial Road Construction and Infrastructure Upgrading Project:

The 2.34 billion Qatar Riyals project is signed with Al Jaber Transport & General Contracting LCC; and Parsons International Limited as supervision consultants with a QR 69 million contract. This 2.3 billion QR project is part of Ashghal’s Expressway Programme and will be a major link between the Industrial Area and the city.

The Industrial road project includes approximately eight kilometres of new dual carriageway on Abu Hamour Road / industrial road from East Industrial Road Interchange to Al Woqod Interchange and approximately two kilometres of dual carriageway on F Ring Road from Woqod Interchange to Al Jazeera Interchange.

The new construction includes:

• Industrial road – four lanes in each direction with two lane collector roads and service roads
• East Industrial Street – three lanes in each direction with two lane service roads
• F-Ring Road – three lanes in each direction (1.8km bridge across Industrial road and Wholesale Market Street) with four lane collector roads and service roads
• Back Road (Access Road behind Barwa Commercial Avenue) – one lane in each direction with parking lanes.
The project will include an extensive network of pedestrian footpaths and cycleways to enhance safety and access for all.

There are four multi-level interchanges along the Industrial road and one multi-level interchange along F-Ring Road as well as a directional tunnel from the Industrial road to the Barwa City development. These interchanges are described below:

• East Industrial Interchange – three level interchange with East Industrial Street as underpass, traffic turning movements controlled by traffic signals at grade and the Industrial road as flyover
• Karwa Interchange – two level interchange with the Industrial road as underpass and traffic turning movements controlled by traffic signals
• Barwa Interchange – two level interchange with the Industrial road as underpass and traffic turning movements controlled by traffic signals
• Barwa Tunnel – two lane tunnel for left turn traffic movements from the Industrial road to Barwa City
• Woqod Interchange – three level interchange with the Industrial road as an underpass, traffic turning movements controlled by traffic signals at grade and F-Ring Road as a flyover
• Al Jazeera Interchange – two level interchange with traffic turning movements controlled by traffic signals and F-Ring Road as flyover

Along with the traffic benefits, there will be an upgrading of associated infrastructure along the project consisting of a storm water network including significant micro-tunneling works, six pumping stations and modular storage tanks; treated sewerage effluent networks; potable water networks; electrical networks including over one kilometer of four-meter diameter power tunnel, telecommunication networks and traffic surveillance system.

The road corridor will be enhanced by extensive hard and soft landscaping, and artscape works to improve the look and feel of the area.

3. Highways Network Operation and Maintenance Management Contract:

This five-year contract that worth QAR 107.78 million is signed with AMEY is to manage the highways network in the State of Qatar. The contractor will work as an advisor to Ashghal asset management of roads infrastructure in Qatar.

The contract involves improving policies, processes and procedures linked to roads operations and maintenance (O&M), customer services, ICT, financial management, and other supporting functions. 

Working with Ashghal, Amey will provide a robust training, mentoring and change management programme to all O&M staff as well as create an Enterprise Highway Asset Management System (EHAMS) that will support the drive towards future streamlined operations and maintenance services.

All services shall be linked to a management mechanism aimed at monitoring and improving performance.

The highways management contract was procured by PWA over a two-year period. The process included a significant amount of dialogue, interviews and presentations to ensure the service being offered matches PWA’s needs to upgrade and manage vital highways infrastructure in accordance with the Qatar National Vision 2030.

4. Drainage Asset Management Services System Upgrading:

This Five Year contract that worth 218.48 million Qatar Riyals is signed with MWH to provide both Operational Management and Change Management services for the operation and management of drainage network in the state.

These resources will work within Ashghal’s Drainage Operations and Maintenance Department to scope and deliver the Drainage Asset Management Programme whilst embedding sustainable policies, processes and procedures through robust training, mentoring and change management over the next five year period aligning with the main pillars of the Qatar National Vision 2030. 

A key requirement of MWH, teamed with Scottish Water International, is to establish a sustainable business platform for PWA that will support the alignment of its strategic objectives to the delivery of specific service delivery goals which comprise: Corporate Alignment; Asset Management; Operations and Maintenance; HR and Change Management; Customer Services; Financial Management; ICT; and Support Services. 

The effective deployment and delivery of eight interlinked Service Delivery Plans will maximise performance of the Drainage O&M Department’s current and future assets at optimum life cycle cost.

The principal benefits to be delivered to PWA will include, but not be limited to:

• Enhanced customer satisfaction from a transformed service delivery model
• Improved health, safety and environmental performance
• Optimised return on investment and/or growth
• Long-term planning bringing confidence, predictability and performance sustainability
• The ability to demonstrate best value-for-money pathways
• Evidence, in the form of controlled and systematic processes, to demonstrate legal, regulatory and statutory compliance
• Improved risk management and corporate governance and a clear audit trail for the appropriateness of decisions taken and their associated risks
• Improved corporate reputation, the benefits of which may include enhanced shareholder value;
• Improved marketability of product/service, greater staff satisfaction and more efficient and effective procurement from the supply chain

5. Program Management Consultancy (PMC) Services for Building Projects:

Another Five Year Contract that worth QAR 415 million is signed with a Joint Venture of MACE and EC Harris as Programme Management Consultant (PMC) to undertake the programme management of Building Projects in association and coordination with the PWA and their appointed consultants and contractors. 

The Joint Venture will undertake all the program management activities required for planning, procurement, and management of the design, supervision, and construction contracts for a wide range of project types throughout Qatar, including Educational Facilities; Healthcare Facilities; Ports and Waterfront Development; Public Tourism Facilities; Public Sports and Assembly Facilities; Parks and Recreational Facilities.

Importantly, they shall establish and deliver a comprehensive suite of fully integrated and functioning plans, systems, processes and procedures to enable delivery of the program, and to provide a consistent and best practice approach to managing projects.

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