Industry Leadership in Tunnel Construction

THE LINE railway project is part of the futuristic new city NEOM in the northern part of Saudi Arabia on the Red Sea – which represents a $500 billion investment, envisioned as a city without cars. One of the main components of THE LINE is the 27-kilometer tunnel construction: This includes two underground railway tunnels: high-speed and freight. The innovative nature of NEOM positions it as a transformative development in urban planning and transportation infrastructure.

Project Overview

THE LINE Tunnel Construction required a sophisticated ventilation system to ensure safety and operational efficiency. The project is a collaboration between Spanish, Chinese and Saudi Arabian companies, forming a joint venture (JV) tasked with the constructing of the 27-kilometer tunnel. TLT-Turbo Sichuan, with its extensive experience in ventilation solutions, was chosen for this crucial project. With a proven track record in the Middle East and Saudi Arabian region,
TLT-Turbo was well-positioned to meet the project’s unique demands.

Project Background

The primary challenge for the JV was to implement a ventilation system capable of extracting fumes and dust with a dilution time of 30 minutes, allowing work to resume promptly after each blast. The secondary challenge was the tight delivery schedule. TLT-Turbo Sichuan successfully delivered the first lot, including fans with silencers, variable speed drive and ducts, within 8 weeks, ready for shipment at Shanghai Port. The client’s main goals were to ensure safety and improve workplace conditions, prompting them to contact TLT-Turbo due to its strong track record in the Tunnel & Metro application and in the region.

The Challenge

The client needed to mobilize people and equipment immediately after securing the NEOM project award, aiming to avoid any delays or penalties. TLT-Turbo was engaged due to its capability to meet these challenges and its reputation for commitment and reliability. The JV chose TLT-Turbo based on its deep technical knowledge and global presence, ensuring confidence in TLT-Turbo’s ability to deliver.

The Solution

TLT-Turbo approached this challenge by leveraging its experience and conducting thorough research. The team, including TLT-Turbo Sichuan and the Regional Sales Organization, devised a solution tailored to the project’s needs.

Implementation Details:

  • Timeline: The system was ready for shipment within 8 weeks. The first lot was on site ahead of the scheduled first blast.
  • Selecting the most efficient solution with higher efficiency fans that also meets the demanding and harsh conditions of the construction site.
  • A full production and delivery schedule in line with the construction schedule and tunnel progress.

Results and Conclusion

TLT-Turbo’s solution effectively addressed the client’s challenges, ensuring timely delivery and installation. The immediate benefit was the system’s delivery ahead of schedule, while long-term benefits included a high-efficiency and reliable ventilation system. The solution provided a short Return on Investment and reduced construction costs, emphasizing TLT-Turbo’s ability to deliver effective and efficient solutions.

This project demonstrated TLT-Turbo’s flexibility to adapt to challenging requirements and its commitment to delivering the best technical solutions. TLT-Turbo’s involvement in the NEOM project highlights its ability to contribute to safer workplaces and provide high-efficiency solutions that reduce energy consumption and costs. TLT-Turbo’s involvement in iconic projects like NEOM highlights their industry leadership and expertise in providing advanced ventilation solutions for large-scale infrastructure projects.