Italian engineering company 3TI Progetti has won a €9mn contract for design work on the Doha metro project, with the backing of Italian export credit agency Sace.

Sace guaranteed a performance bond issued by Banco BPM. The performance bond was required as part of the contract, but Sace has declined to disclose the amount or any further details on request.

The Doha metro project is a planned rapid transit system in Qatar’s capital, scheduled to become operational by the end of 2019. The metro system will consist of four lines (red, green, gold and blue), which will open in phases, with an eventual completion date of 2026.

The four lines will have an approximate overall length of 300km and 100 stations and will form an integral part of the larger Qatar Rail network, which will also include a long-distance rail for passengers and freight, linking Qatar to the GCC.

3TI Progetti will be lead designer for the red line’s south underground.

Qatar Rail started issuing tenders for the project in early 2013. Italian firm Salini Impregilo was awarded the contract to manage the construction of the northern segment of the red line, while Qatari Diar Vinci Construction (QDVR), a joint venture, and Austria’s Porr were successful in their bids to lead the building of the southern segment of the red line and the green line, respectively.