AECOM is commissioned by NEOM under a single contract as the Backbone Engineering Consultant (BEC) for the project. The primary objective of the commission is to develop Stage 3 designs from Concept Level to enable procurement and tendering on varying levels of design development for each package, leading to the eventual construction of the project.
Geographic extents of design works are comprised of three main elements. These are the Spine railway route, Connector railway and Spine Water Transmission (SWT) line. The Spine railway route extends 170km from the coast in the West to the new Neom International Airport in the East.
The Connector railway route extends 100km north to south from the southern border of Neom to connect with the Spine. The SWT box is located to the north of the Line extending 80km in length from the coast.
The BEC design scope includes the utility and railway corridors including new stations along the route, cut-and-cover boxes, mountain tunnels and adits, viaducts, depots, yards and other facilities.
The Mountain Running Tunnels (MRT) are a 25km link between the coastal desert and the upper valley. The Mountain Running Tunnels works are already at an advanced stage of design to accelerate the programme. Drill and blast construction is underway for these works. Construction support teams review contractor proposals for tunnelling works as they progress. Geotechnical teams work in the field undertaking field observation and overseeing ground investigation works.
The BEC design scope is being delivered to align with the planned overall procurement programme. Connector and SWT design packages are well advanced, for preparation of contract documentation. Spine stations and underground boxes designs are underway.