Riyadh Metro – Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)

Initiated by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC), the Riyadh Metro megaproject is the largest transit capital expenditure program ever launched in KSA, currently valued at $27B USD. The automated/driverless network comprises six lines with an overall rail system that is 176.5km long, with 85 transit stations, and seven rail depots. It will form the backbone of the transportation network of the city and provides a modern, world-class transportation network equipped with the latest technology in an urban setting.

The Royal Commission for Riyadh City awarded two of its three program/construction management (PMCM) mega-contracts to a Parsons-led joint venture (JV) called the Riyadh Metro Transit Consultants (RMTC). The JV is represented by three of the world’s top transit PMCM consultants — Parsons, Egis, and Systra. RMTC was awarded three of the six lines, representing 60 percent of the entire metro program, and is managing two major design-build consortiums.

RMTC is managing a portion of the program, totaling 104.5 kilometers in length, along with 55 stations, four of which are large, iconic design transfer stations designed by world-renowned architects. The scope includes 20.9 kilometers of bored tunnel, 3.2 kilometers of cut-and-cover tunnel, 54.7 kilometers of viaduct, and 25.7 kilometers at-grade.

Services Provided

As the lead for all program and construction management services, we fill the key service positions of project director, finance manager, and HSE manager. Additionally, we also lead the project controls teams and are primarily responsible for finance, project controls, safety, and quality. We also provided the following services:

• Program and Project Management
• Safety Management
• Design Management
• Construction Management
• Cost Management and Cost Estimating
• Schedule Management
• Integration and Interface Management
• Quality Assurance/Quality Control
• Sustainability Management
• Stakeholder Management
• Risk Management
• Human Resources Management
• Materials and Resources Management
• Documentations Management
• Contracts Management and Administration Engineer of Record (Package 1 & 2)
• Engineering Review
• Inspection and Supervision
• HSE Oversight
• Advisory and Admin Services

Sustainability In Action

The project adopted several sustainable measures that allowed for a reduction in energy consumption such as adopting on-site generated energy from photovoltaic cells, energy-efficient equipment, LED lighting fixtures, and occupancy and presence sensors. There is also a reduction in water use including collected/treated on-site gray water, treated sewage effluent, water-efficient fixtures, and efficient irrigation systems along the metro corridor and others.

The completed project will have a considerable reduction in carbon emissions by providing a sustainable means of transportation that aims to reduce citizens’ and residents’ dependence on vehicles. The project is considering an urban development that promotes shading using trees and artificial shading devices and adaptive and native plants along the metro corridor, taking into consideration the solar reflectance index (SRI) value in the selection of pavers, underground parking areas, and more.

The designs developed for the four iconic stations require meeting, at a minimum, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver certification standards. Overall, the project has taken the life-cycle design approach: plan, design, and construct the project using materials that are local, recyclable, and nonpolluting, such as using an ecological wall instead of concrete retaining walls in the depot area.

Implementation Of Junior Engineer Education Program (JEEP)

We understand the value of developing young emerging professionals through programs focused on national growth through professional development. We introduced this concept to the RMTC team and began the Junior Engineer Education Program, which focuses on the development of Saudi graduates. SAPL/RMTC made a commitment to invest in their professional development by building a sustainable core competency in Rail Engineering and Management; thereby preparing them to be the future leaders in their career fields for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

Working with the RMTC team offers the graduates the unique opportunity to, not only be a part of a historical mega construction rail project in their capitol, but also affords them the prospect of working with and learning from leading experts and professionals within the industry. The experience gained will enable these graduates to become competent engineers and will help develop a valuable talent pool for the future of the Railway Industry and other major infrastructure projects in KSA.