Gulf Construction Online - Archirodon to build Red Sea Project’s bridge

Contractors

The bridge will span a 1.2-km stretch of the Red Sea.

Archirodon to build Red Sea Project’s bridge

01 July 2021

The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC), the developer behind the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism project in Saudi Arabia, has signed up Archirodon to design and build a 1.2-km-long iconic bridge which is part of the 3.3 km crossing to Shurayrah, the main hub island of The Red Sea Project.

Archirodon, a leading EPC global group, will provide engineering, procurement and construction support to build the Shurayrah bridge.

The bridge will span a 1.2-km stretch of the Red Sea, with two small 36-m sections at each end of the crossing to allow for movement of marine mammals.

CEO John Pagano says: “Shurayrah Bridge will become one of the main access points for guests onto the island, and its completion will mark a major undertaking in the development of the destination.”

Shurayrah Island is one of the 22 islands in an archipelago of more than 90 selected for development. The spectacular Coral Bloom design concept for Shurayrah, created by renowned British architects Foster + Partners, was recently revealed. It is heavily influenced by the island’s natural landscape, with hotels that are nestled amongst the dunes.

“Its construction is truly monumental as not only will the bridge be the very first connection to the islands, its construction will demonstrate our ability to accomplish huge feats of engineering whilst also protecting and enhancing the natural habitat,” Pagano notes.

Its design and construction methods meet TRSDC’s strict criteria for sustainable development. Sustainable measures include strict controls on the prevention of any sediment movement from piling activities with multiple monitoring buoys strategically sited to alert any breakthrough from surface booms, he adds.

The contract follows major marine enabling works carried out by Archirodon across the development last year. These works have helped underpin the successful delivery of the project by providing a solid foundation to ensure the efficient movement of people, materials and equipment in and around the destination, while safeguarding the sensitive ecological environment.

According to Pagano, a precast yard for bridge sections will be established near the coast to minimise travel distances with concrete sourced from on-site batching plants.

“Archirodon matches our own commitment to pioneering a new relationship between luxury tourism and the natural environment. We are confident that they will deliver a bridge that is pioneering in its construction and design, whilst also meeting our high standards in sustainable development,” states Pagano.

Archirodon Group CEO Dennis Karapiperis says: “We are honoured to be awarded a new contract by TRSDC, to be part of this prestigious development for Shurayrah Bridge, which will not only make this unique island destination accessible for visitors, but also have sustainable techniques embedded within every element of its design to ensure the delicate ecological environment is protected and even enhanced.

The Red Sea Project has already passed numerous significant milestones and work is on track to welcome the first guests by the end of 2022, when the international airport and the first hotels will open. All 16 hotels planned in Phase One will be opening by the end of 2023.