Revitalising Jeddah’s Infrastructure – The Construction Supervision Management Programme

The Construction Supervision Management (CSM) Programme was launched in 2019 in response to the evolving needs of Jeddah’s citizens and the rapid growth of the Saudi economy. The Programme, which aimed at regenerating and developing Jeddah’s infrastructure, included 111 infrastructure projects, covering more than 2,400 square kilometers, and over 220 locations.

With a budget of over 4.5 billion Saudi Riyals, the CSM included a wide-ranging scope involving the construction of bridges, tunnels, roadways, and groundwater management systems. In addition, the programme included streetscape, lighting, landscape, and green outdoor spaces.

As the Programme Management Consultant, WSP’s role was instrumental in steering these projects towards completion. Our comprehensive service portfolio, encompassing construction management, project and programme management, dispute resolution, health, safety, and environment, quality assurance, and quality control, commercial and financial management, and stakeholder management, has been the cornerstone of the programme’s success.

Location

Saudi Arabia

Client

Jeddah Municipality

Project Status

Completed

Infrastructure projects

111

Total construction cost (SAR)

4.5 billion

Total area

2400 km²

Managing 111 projects with a limited workforce was not an easy feat. To overcome the considerable resource challenge on the CSM, we created and implemented detailed procedures to ensure regular visits to all project sites. This involved careful planning, coordination, and optimisation of our workforce to maximise efficiency. Using these measures, we conducted over 155,000 site visits throughout the duration of the programme.

Additionally, we launched numerous skill development initiatives and encouraged cross-functional collaboration, which helped us capitalise on the diverse talents and expertise within our team. This approach also drove productivity, innovation, and excellence across all facets of project delivery.

Our approach to managing this extensive scope centered on building trust through the delivery of exceptional service to our client, while also fostering open communication with the Programme’s stakeholders. Throughout this journey, we have not only delivered world-class project and programme management services but also demonstrated resilience against numerous challenges. This resilience has been a cornerstone of our success.

Mohab ElShaknkiry Project Director, WSP in the MiddleEast

Mohab ElShaknkiry Project Director, WSP in the MiddleEast

Commercial Strategies for Success

Given the magnitude of the scope and the large number of contractors working on the CSM, it was imperative that we process payments and job orders in a timely manner to ensure the continuity of the work.

To rise to this challenge, our team developed and implemented a set of procedures which have significantly benefited the programme by expediting payments, streamlining payment workflows, and enhancing relationships with contractors. Additionally, these procedures have been instrumental in mitigating the risks associated with project delays.

We are proud that over the course of the programme and thanks to our relentless focus on achieving our Client’s objectives, we processed more than 4,200 work orders and 900 invoices, totalling an approximate value of SAR 3 billion.

The Programme has been a transformative force for Jeddah, significantly reducing traffic congestion and enhancing the city’s infrastructure. It has not only improved the daily lives of our citizens but has also laid the groundwork for future developments. As we gear up for effectively contributing to achieving Vision 2030, the success of this programme stands as a testament to our commitment to progress and innovation in the Kingdom.

Hani Shabbaj PMO Manager, Jeddah Municipality

Hani Shabbaj PMO Manager, Jeddah Municipality

Racing Against Time: Formula 1 Preparations

In preparation for the Formula 1 event, a series of fast-track projects were launched as part of the CSM within a tight deadline. The event was of special importance, especially as Saudi Arabia prepares for a diversified economy encompassing sports and tourism revenues.

The four fast-track projects included the upgrade of Al-Salam Road, which served as a vital artery for diplomatic delegations. They also included Faisal Bin Fahad Street, which connects directly to the Corniche Road and the Formula 1 circuit.

The scope of work encompassed the construction of new roads, bicycle tracks, and pedestrian walkways, as well as the installation of soft landscaping, an extensive irrigation network, modern lighting poles, ample parking facilities, water tanks, and street furniture such as benches and bins. These improvements not only facilitated a successful Formula 1 event but also left a lasting legacy for the city of Jeddah, enhancing the urban landscape and improving the quality of life for its residents.

Marquee Projects

Prince Majid Park

The CMS programme has been instrumental in elevating the quality of life for the citizens of Jeddah through the delivery of the monumental Prince Majid Park.

As the first and largest park of its kind nestled in the heart of the city, the park spans 120,000 square meters, featuring a 900-meter-long promenade and a dancing fountain that soars to an average height of 30 meters.

It also boasts a significant green footprint, with 40-45% dedicated to landscaped areas, offering a green retreat amidst the urban landscape. In addition, it included walkways, bicycle tracks, and a security system equipped with CCTV Cameras

Obhur Waterfront

Another iconic project that enhanced the quality of life for Jeddah’s residents is Obhur Waterfront.

Spanning 205,000 square meters and stretching 2,700 meters along the coast, the project has been meticulously designed to include a variety of features such as 10,350 square meters of dry sandy areas for leisure, 5,800 square meters of wet beaches, 27,000 square meters of green spaces, 560 square meters of kids play areas and a range of public services.

The inclusion of a fishing pier, a scenic sea walkway, a 2.6km long dedicated bicycle track, and ample parking lots ensured that the Obhur Waterfront is not just a picturesque destination, but also a practical and accessible oasis.

Sari Bridge

At a total cost of SAR 92 million, the Sari Bridge project involved the construction of a 2-way bridge that is 1.5km in length with an average width of 18m. The project scope included landscape and decorative lighting works.

As part of the project, our team contributed to relocating the iconic Al Falak monument, weighing 100 tons and standing 30m tall, alongside the new bridge. This mission encompassed safely lifting, installing, and fixing the aesthetic structure onto pre-constructed foundations.

Although COVID-19 was a major impediment to the timely delivery of many projects worldwide, taking the right health and safety measures, our team managed to expedite the Sari Bridge delivery. The bridge has helped to improve the traffic flow at the Sari intersection and enhanced the look of the area with its landscape and decorative lighting works.

Prince Mohamed Bin Abdulaziz Tunnel

The Prince Mohamed Bin Abdulaziz Tunnel Project helped to improve the traffic flow at the Al-Madinah intersection, which was historically the most congested intersection in the city. The 2-way tunnel was 1.5km in length, 21m in width, and 6m in depth, and cost around SAR 240M to construct.

There were many challenges in delivering this project, but our WSP team managed to overcome them with exceptional outcomes. The challenges included the need to deliver the project without impacting traffic flow, which was not an easy feat and required meticulous detour planning and extensive coordination with relevant stakeholders.

We implemented a monitoring system to track the horizontal and vertical movement of structures near and far from the tunnel excavation zone during construction which ensured the successful and safe delivery of the tunnel.

We are proud of the long-standing partnership we have with Jeddah Municipality. Together, we have delivered numerous achievements that considerably enhanced the lives of Jeddah’s residents. This Programme is another testament to our team’s commitment to Saudi’s Vision 2030, driving forward sustainable development and innovation for a brighter future.

Walid Mahmoud Country Director, KSA

Walid Mahmoud Country Director, KSA

What makes CSM stand out

The magnitude of work, the broad scope, the multitude of stakeholders, the limited workforce, and the tight deadlines all contributed to making the management of the CSM programme a truly unique undertaking. The CSM also faced additional challenges, including COVID-19 and the floods in Jeddah. Nevertheless, our team rose to these challenges and leveraged innovative resource management strategies to deliver excellent results.