Tel Aviv’s government owned NTA is seeking expression of interest from international design firms for the implementation of the city’s US$3bn, 23km long Light Rail Transit Red Line, which includes 11.5km of tunnel with 10 underground stations.
NTA is looking for international design firms capable of providing professional architectural and engineering design services and who may also wish to participate in an RFP/tender to be issued, subject to budget approval, for the retention of a designer who will provide preliminary and final design for the 10 underground stations of the Red Line.
The NTA has pointed out that this RFI is “not an indication or undertaking by NTA to initiate any such aforementioned RFP/tender. Furthermore, the data provided in this RFI, including but not limited to the number of Stations, is preliminary and shall in no way oblige NTA in any such possible future RFP/tender.”
The underground section starts in the southern section of Tel Aviv just to the north of Jaffa and passes through the central business district of Tel Aviv and then eastwards along Jabotinsky Street, through the Municipalities of Ramat Gan and Bnei Brak. At Geha intersection there is a split with a north branch going to Em Hamoshavot terminal station and a non-revenue extension linking the Red Line to the Depot site in Kiryat Aryeh and the east branch continuing under route no. 4 and emerging to surface level in Petach Tikva.
The 10 underground Stations are: 5 Stations in Tel Aviv (Allenby, Carlibach, Yehudit, Shaul HaMelech, Arlosoroff), 2 Stations in Ramat Gan (Abba Hillel, Bialik) and 3 in Bnei Brak (Ben Gurion, Aharonovitz and Em Hamoshavot). Carlibach Station shall be designed as a special intermodal Station for the Red and the Green lines. A Conceptual design of this Station will be provided to the Designer.
The Stations are planned to be constructed as cut-and-cover structures, the dimensions of the typical Station being approximately 125m long, 25m wide and 20m height. The Stations will have 3 levels, a technical level on top in which most of the technical areas and machinery will be located, a Concourse level as the intermediate level and the platform level as the bottom level. The platform will be a central platform 10.35m wide with platform edge screens and doors and tracks on either side.
The tunnel ventilation fans shall also be located inside the Stations. The design for fire and life safety shall be in accordance with IS 5435 (the Israeli version of the NFPA 130).
All Stations shall be designed for dual use so that in war times, if instructed by the relevant authorities, they shall be sealed and be used as public shelters.
The purpose of the Design Services to be carried out by the Designer is to provide professional architectural and engineering design services which will be the basis for a Design-Build Tender to be issued by NTA as the project progresses, subject to budget approval.
The major objects of the Design Services will most likely include amongst others:
1. Preliminary Design of the 10 Stations (50% level of design);
2. Final Design of the 10 Stations (90% level of design);
3. Preliminary and Final Design of the fixed mechanical and electrical services in the tunnels (excluding rail systems);
4. Preparation of all technical documents required for a Design-Build tender which will be issued by NTA for the construction of the Stations as a part of series of tenders.
5. Preparation of a Bill of Quantities.
6. Obtaining the building permits for the works required for the construction of the Stations.
As part of the Design Services, close coordination will be required with the Municipalities, utility owners and other third parties. In addition, pursuant to Israeli laws and regulations, only certified Israeli architects and engineers are authorized to sign the documents of the permit process.
Furthermore, any future RFP/tender for the Design Services may include a requirement that the winning Designer shall put into practice industrial cooperation in Israel, which may be fulfilled by using any of the following means: local subcontracting, investments, Know-How transfer, R&D, acquisition of Israeli products, work or services, or by any other means which may be detailed in such RFP/tender.
The Design Services are to be completed within 12 months, including the obtaining of the permits for the construction.
For more information contact: Mr. Amnon Oppenheim – Chief Design Manager, Red Line e-mail : A_oppenheim@nta.co.il
Comments: