Bahrain’s Works Ministry is awaiting funding approval from the government before it can continue with plans to conduct studies for the first phase of its planned BD3bn ($7.9bn) rapid transit rail network.

“We are still waiting budgetary approvals to further proceed with appointment of consultants or conducting detailed feasibility studies,” says a source from the Works Ministry.

“We recently received assurance from the Finance Ministry that requisite funds would be allocated for this project in 2011 budget.”

In April 2010, the Works Ministry prequalified 10 consultants to carry out the detailed feasibility studies for the first phase of the rapid transport network (MEED 15:4:10).

The first phase involves the construction of an 11-kilometre light rail transit (LRT) line, that will run from the airport to the capital Manama and onto Isa Town Gate interchange and ending at the Qatar-Bahrain Causeway.

The first phase also involves the construction of a 13-km tramway that will connect Juffair with the Seef district.

The consultants that have been prequalified to carry out the feasibility studies are:

• Atkins (UK)
• Parsons Global Services (US)
• Mott Macdonald (UK)
• Systra (France)
• Aecom (US), RMJM (UK), Steer Davies Gleave (UK)
• Parsons Brinckerhoff (US)
• Dar al-Handasah (Lebanon), DB International (Germany)
• Arup Gulf (UK)
• Scott Wilson (UK)
• Cowi Almoayyed Gulf (Denmark)

The ministry plans to start operating phase one of the network in 2014.