Jeddah Metro Company has invited companies to prequalify for construction work on its estimated $1bn Obhur creek crossing scheme.

Contractors have until 4 January to submit prequalification for the main design and build contract for the bridge project.

The construction work for the bridge is expected to be split into five packages, with the main package covering the design and build on a concrete arch bridge. The crossing will be 380 metres long and will be 74.5 metres wide. It will have eight lanes for road traffic, a single railway line and two pedestian walkways.

The preliminary design was prepared by US-based consultant Figg. US-based Aecom has provided programme management services on the project.

In May, Jeddah Metro Company awarded Aecom a $28m contract to provide pre-programme management consultancyservices for the Jeddah Public Transport Project, at the heart of which is the proposed Jeddah Metro. Under its 18-month contract, Aecom will provide staff to support the preliminary planning and design work for various phases of the metro project.

The Jeddah Metro is planned to have three major lines: Orange; Blue; and Green. The total length of the network is planned to be 152 kilometres with 92 stations. The Orange Line will be 84km and is split into two parts, the Blue Line 36km and the Green Line 32km.