Doha: As part of Qatar’s efforts to tackle key challenges facing the region’s infrastructural advancement, the 5th annual ‘Bridges Middle East’ summit kicked off yesterday at the Ritz- Carlton Hotel in Doha. Professionals from around the world devoted to planning contemporary bridges and tunnels gathered to discuss ways the nation can better utilise its current transportation means.
Larry B Krauser (pictured), President of the Post-Tensioning Institute and Vice-President of General Technologies introduced the two day event, which began with an overview of Qatar’s Expressway Programme. Designed to help relieve traffic congestion and build efficient and safe roads in Doha, the plan was explained by Ian Flynn, Principal Bridge Design Engineer with KBR’s programme management consultancy team, who presented strategies for meeting its expected 2017 completion date. Meeting deadlines, staying within budget, and building durable and attractive structures were noted as some of the project’s fundamental challenges.
“It is essential that we work to maximise all of these deliverables, and when we started the program we broke down client expectations to ensure that we could actually meet our deadline. We are looking at the initiatives we have proposed and examining their particular requirements, it’s not just a case of taking something off the shelf, we are actually modifying our plans for the environment that exists here,” said Flynn.
Iman Soliman, Project Engineer for DeutscheBahn International (DB) introduced the nation’s Integrated Railways Project, an impressive metro network that will potentially include 89 stations and four separate lines. Construction, maintenance and operation methods were specifically highlighted as key components for building durable railway bridges.
The Peninsula
