SAUDI ARABIA: RIYADH METRO
Posted on 13 November 2009
Saudi Arabia has started construction of a light rail line in the capital city Riyadh (population 6.5 million), with 36 stations in the first phase. According to Saudi Railways Organisation (SRO) spokesman Mohammed Abu-zaid, the project falls under the jurisdiction of the Arriyadh Development Authority (ADA).
Eight light rail trainsets are to be supplied by Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles SA (CAF) of Spain within three years at a cost of about SR612 million ($US163,000). CAF signed a contract with the SRO for the supply of the trains and four years’ maintenance.
ADA says final preparations to implement the project have been made. Construction has begun on two routes, one to have 23 stations and the other 13. The first phase comprises a 25km north-south route. It will extend from the northern side of the ring road to Olaya and Batha streets up to the southern ring road.
The second phase will involve a 14km route extending from the eastern side of the ring road across King Abdulaziz Road, as far as King Khaled Road in the west. Distances between stations will be 600 metres in more densely populated areas and 1,100 to 2,000m elsewhere.
The system is expected to serve 1,500 passengers per hour per track initially and later up to 8,000 passengers per hour.
Related posts:
