A consortium led by Spanish construction giant FCC has been named the Global Tunnelling Team of the Year at the New Civil Engineer Tunnelling Awards 2016 in London, UK, for its work on the yellow, green and purple lines of the Riyadh Metro project.
With six lines, 85 stations, and a total route length of 176 km, the Riyadh Metro is the largest public infrastructure project of its kind under construction anywhere in the world.
The Fast consortium, which includes Samsung C&T (Korea), Alstom (France), Strukton (The Netherlands), and Freyssinet (Saudi Arabia), in adition to FCC, is responsible for delivering Package Three (Yellow, Green and Purple Lines) of the works.
It was the first of the three consortia contracted by Arriyadh Development Authority (ADA) to design and build the Riyadh Metro project and the first to finish the tunnelling works; at its peak, it reached tunnelling speeds of 45 m per day.
Following the successful completion of tunnelling work, the consortium was also shortlisted for Community Engagement award and the Tunnelling Project of the Year (Over $500 million).
The winners were recently announced at a glittering ceremony in the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane in London.
In their comments, the judges said that the consortium “excelled” in the way it has forged a 9,500-strong team out of individuals representing 42 nationalities and speaking 22 languages. They pointed out that the speed of mobilisation demonstrated by Fast was “incredible”.
Jaime Freyre, FCC vice-president for Europe and the Middle East, said: "Being recognised by the industry as the Global Tunnelling Team of the Year shows how effectively and efficiently all members of the Fast consortium are working together under a single strategy."
"What we have achieved so far is a testament to the commitment of the team of 9,500 people delivering Package Three, as well as the involvement of Arriyadh Development Authority (ADA) and the engagement of the local community," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
FCC consortium wins top award for Riyadh metro work
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