Bahrain’s Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications (MTT) has received 11 bids from top consultants in response to the request for proposals (RFP) for the provision of consultancy and preliminary design services for the extension of Bahrain Metro. The extension will be from King Hamad Railway Station in Al Ramli area to the new sports city and the International Exhibition Centre in Sakhir.

The scope of work includes evaluation of different alternative corridors, demand study and station allocation, concept and preliminary design of the corridor and cost estimate of the project.

The bidders for the work include Egis; Aecom Middle East; Gulf Markets International; Consolidated Engineering Company Khatib & Alami; Rina Consulting Abu Dhabi; Mohamed Salahuddin Consulting Engineering Bureau (MSCEB); Sener Ingenieria y Sistemas; Idom Consulting Engineering Architecture; Dar Al Handash Consultants (Shair & Partners); Intecsainarsa; and Ace Consulting Engineers (Moharram – Bakhoum) and Partner.

 The bids were opened on June 3 and of these 11 RFPs, three have been suspended, according to the Bahrain Tender Board website.

The entire Bahrain Metro project is estimated to cost between $1 to $2 billion and will boast four metro lines totalling 109 km.

The 28.6-km Phase One will be operated through two lines – The Red and Blue Line – and will comprise 20 stations, including two interchanges, said the ministry.

The Red Line will connect Bahrain International Airport to Seef District through Airport Avenue and King Faisal Highway, while the Blue Line will run from Juffair, via the Diplomatic Area, Manama, Al Farouq Junction and Salmaniya, to Isa Town Educational Area, it stated. 

On completion, the MTT said it will be able to carry 43,000 passengers per hour and is intended to reduce road traffic congestion in the kingdom.

Bahrain’s first rail-based mass transit system will be carried out through a public-private partnership (PPP).

MTT has already appointed a team for the early stages of the project, including Anglo-Dutch multinational professional services firm KPMG as the lead and financial advisor; Egis, France, as a technical advisor; and multinational law firm DLA Piper as legal advisor.