NEOM has completed the construction phase of its underground parking and light rail tunnel for THE SPINE ahead of schedule in July.
According to a recent statement by Chinese construction equipment provider XCMG Machinery, the construction phase for the underground parking lot and light rail tunnel works have been completed.
XCMG said 10 of its high-capacity drilling rigs were deployed on the project, with each rig completing three foundation piles per day in the site’s challenging sandy conditions.
The fleet comprised of four XR500E, two XR600E, two XR320D, and two XR400D rigs handled pile foundations ranging from 60 to 90 metres deep and 2 to 2.5 metres in diameter.
THE SPINE is an infrastructure corridor that runs parallel to THE LINE, meant to move both freight and passengers by rail.
In April 2024, a consortium led by Spain’s FCC Construction announced that construction work was 25% complete on the 8.7km-long tunnel.
In June 2023, it was reported that NEOM has revised and reduced the scope of work for upcoming THE SPINE contracts as it prioritised some projects over others for a phased delivery. As a result, the number of stations was reduced from 48 to nine, the freight rail will share the same infrastructure as the high-speed rail, while the commuter line has been postponed.
In June 2022, NEOM awarded two drill and blast tunnelling contracts for the 28 kilometre-long tunnel works to two joint venture groups, separated based on upper and lower geographies.
The first contract was awarded to FCC Construction SA/ China State Construction Engineering Corporation/ Shibh Al-Jazira Contracting Company Joint Venture (FCC/CSCEC/SAJCO JV), and the second to Samsung C&T Corporation / Hyundai Engineering and Construction Co. Ltd/ Saudi Archirodon Company Ltd Joint Venture (SHAJV).
The tunnels in total will cover 28km in length and provide separate tunnels for high-speed and freight rail services, making the movement of people and goods faster, safer and easier.