In a significant development for the geotechnical and environmental engineering sectors, Saudi Arabia’s ambitious NEOM project, particularly its centerpiece known as “The Line,” has undergone substantial downsizing. This news, reported by Bloomberg, has far-reaching implications for the engineering and construction industries involved in this mega-project.
Saudi Neom Line project to be only a mile and a half now. — NEOM/File
Project Curtailment
The original plan for The Line envisioned 500m tall, mirrored, parallel skyscrapers stretching 170km across the desert, designed to house 1.5 million residents by 2030. However, recent reports indicate a drastic reduction:
- Length reduced from 170km to just 2.4km
- Population target cut from 1.5 million to fewer than 300,000 by 2030
- Overall NEOM project budget, initially projected at $1 trillion to $1.5 trillion, is under review
Geotechnical Challenges and Progress
Despite the scale-back, the geotechnical aspects of the project remain impressive:
- Massive Earth Moving Operations:
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- Over 2 million cubic meters of earth being moved weekly
- 260 excavators and 2,000 trucks operating 24/7
- World’s Largest Piling Operation:
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- Peak production of over 60 piles per day
- As of last year, 4,500 piles had been driven for foundation works
- Contractor Involvement:
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- Major players like Aecom, Bechtel, and Keller are involved
- Keller signed a significant piling contract worth £51 million in 2022
Environmental and Social Considerations
The project faces scrutiny from environmental and human rights perspectives:
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- Concerns raised by the UN Human Rights Council regarding displacement of local communities
- Limited independent oversight and absence of workers’ unions in the country
Additional Engineering Feats
While The Line faces downsizing, other components of NEOM continue to progress:
- WeBuild signed a $4.7 billion contract to construct an artificial lake at Trojena
- The lake project includes three new dams, with the main dam reaching 145m in height and 475m in length
Industry Implications
This scale-back presents both challenges and opportunities for the geotechnical and environmental engineering sectors:
- Resource Reallocation: Companies may need to reassess their commitments and reallocate resources.
- Sustainability Focus: The downsizing could lead to increased emphasis on sustainable and efficient design solutions.
- Adaptive Engineering: Firms will need to demonstrate flexibility in adjusting to changing project scopes and requirements.
- Environmental Impact: Reduced scale may necessitate revised environmental impact assessments and mitigation strategies.
As the situation continues to evolve, geotechnical and environmental engineering firms involved in or observing the NEOM project will need to stay abreast of developments and be prepared to adapt their strategies accordingly.
