A new metro system, seven years in the making and at a staggering sum of $22.5 billion, serves as the infrastructure centerpiece for rapidly-evolving Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.
The project extends across 176 kilometers (109 miles) and includes 85 stations and six rail lines. A bus system and other transportation services are also included in the project, which will help alleviate massive issues with traffic congestion.
Over the past 50 years, Riyadh has seen its population grow from approximately 408,000 to more than seven million people. It is now ranked 52nd in the world in population, and is only one million behind New York City. The surge has also increased economic activity while also generating enormous traffic delays and safety concerns.
The system is expected to accommodate 1.16 million passengers when it begins operation, and increasing to 3.6 million passengers after 10 years. The metro will travel close to high traffic attractions, such as universities, schools, hospitals, employment centers and commercial buildings. Officials expect the metro will reduce the number of car trips by nearly 250,000 trips per day and save 400,000 liters of fuel per day. There are approximately 10 million trips per day in Riyadh, and about 8 million of them are made with cars.
Arriyadah Development Authority, the owner and operator of the metro, chose three consortiums as contractors for the job. The lead group, called BACS, includes Bechtel, Almabani General Contractors, Consolidated Contractors Company, and Siemens. The consortium built 40 percent of the stations and 36 percent of the rail lines in Riyadh.Â
The project includes 73 floor doors made by BILCO, the U.S. manufacturer of specialty access products.The order was one of the largest in the 94-year-old history of the company, which secured the contract from BACS with support from SchlegelGiesse of Dubai, a sister company of BILCO in the Tyman PLC portfolio of businesses.
“BILCO is one of the leading companies in this sector, and the architect recommended them for this project,’’ said Amal Joseph, who oversees technical support for SchlegelGiesse. “They also meet National Fire Protection Association regulations and requirements.”
The BILCO doors provide emergency egress from underground platforms and feature panic hardware and easy, one hand operation, for safe and reliable egress. They have been installed in many high-profile transportation projects in the United States, including Los Angeles, New York and other large metropolitan cities.Â
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“BILCO uses spring-loaded pistonsto operatethe doors, which require less maintenance and provide more durability,’’ said Shabeer Parambil of SchlegelGiesse. “The chance of failure will be nearly zero compared to hydraulic or pneumatic piston operated doors.”
The Riyadh Metro is just the second metro system in Saudi Arabia, and will be a game-changing development as the city moves forward amid its dramatic rise in population.
“This landmark new metro system will help revolutionize transport in Saudi Arabia and enable the region to meet the demands of the growing population while reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality,’’ Bechtel said on its website.
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