Mongolia launched global tender for $1.3 Billion Ulaanbaatar Metro Rail Project

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (Metro Rail Today): Mayor Khishgeegiin Nyambaatar of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, has unveiled a $1.3 billion plan to alleviate traffic congestion and reduce air pollution by introducing the city's first metro system. In a significant move towards realization, the city's procurement department has issued tenders for a consultancy services contract valued at an estimated $53.5 million. This contract will involve the development of terms of reference and technical specifications for the metro project.

The concept of introducing the first metro in the capital was initially discussed in the mid-1980s. At that time, urban development management and scientists collaborated with experts from the former Soviet Union to conduct the first analysis, drilling five large boreholes in the center of Ulaanbaatar. Since those early discussions, ongoing deliberations took place from 2005, leading to the first basic research conducted until 2013.

In 2011, South Korea's "Soosung Engineering" company conducted the initial preliminary feasibility study. Subsequently, Japan's international cooperation organization JICA undertook the preliminary feasibility study in 2013, combining the collected analysis and data.

According to the feasibility study, the planned construction of a single-line metro in Ulaanbaatar, including the depot, is approximately 18.3 km long horizontally, stretching from Tolgoit to Amgalan. The feasibility study proposes a 6.6 km underground section in the central part of the capital, with the remaining segments featuring a pillar-based bridge structure.

The metro project aims to enhance the city's transportation infrastructure, offering a 27-minute end-to-end journey time and significantly reducing travel times compared to existing bus services. With a capacity to accommodate up to 17,000 passengers per hour, the metro is expected to bring about a 16% reduction in traffic congestion, a 25% increase in average speeds, improved road safety, and better air quality.

Mayor Nyambaatar expressed optimism about the transformative benefits the new subway system would bring to Ulaanbaatar, fostering long-term, sustainable growth. The initiation of the tender process for consultancy services marks a crucial step in turning this ambitious metro plan into a reality, inviting global participation to contribute to the project's success.