In a bid to boost awareness about e-mobility, Austria-based Strabag has said it has installed in-road inductive charging technology in Bad Hersefled, Germany. The firm said it worked with wireless charging company Electreon to deliver the project.

As part of the testing, the team installed 23 copper coils into the road, which were wired together and connected to a power source adjacent the roadway. When vehicles equipped with remote charging receivers drove over the test site, Strabag said a wireless electric connection was received. The coils also supply charges to equipped vehicles that are not moving, meaning the application could be used for motorways or parking depots.

According to a report, the project was funded by the German state of Hesse, with Strabag noting that the partnership “realised a first roadway with a technology that charges electric vehicles contactlessly”.

“The innovative process offers opportunities, above all, for closed cycles, such as bus or taxi lanes in public transport. Charging can be done either dynamically while driving or statically, for example when parking, The coils could also be used on the motorway and support e-trucks, for example, on steep inclines,” said a Strabag representative.

To install, the test track was milled and then set with the copper coils, which are equipped with electric transmitters. Once the coils were wired together and sourced to power, they were then covered with asphalt. Further testing and fine-tuning of the technology will be required, said Strabag, including upgrades to the coil system.

Electreon also stated that it was developing coils with a higher charging capability.

Dr Andreas Wendt, Managing Director of Electreon Germany remarked, “We will push ahead with further projects that show how powerful this technology is. With their help, we can reduce the size and weight of the batteries – for more sustainable mobility.”

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The Big Project Middle East (BPME) editorial team has revealed the shortlist of companies, individuals and projects for the second edition of its ME Digital Construction Awards. Over 80 submissions were received when nominations closed in early May, the BPME editorial team revealed.

The gala dinner is scheduled to take place on 26 June at the Habtoor Grand Resort, JBR, Dubai, and will celebrate individuals, companies and projects that have been shortlisted, as well as reveal the winners in each category.

Compared to the inaugural event which featured 12 categories, the second edition boasts 15 distinct categories, and will recognise excellence across the construction supply chain.

“The inaugural ME Digital Construction Awards was very well received, and based on that positive outcome, I decided to grow the event in terms of the number of categories to better cover the digital construction segment. It was great to see the positive response to this move, with the number of nominations growing over last year in each category. This meant that the two rounds of eliminations were challenging for the editorial team and our panel of judges,” said Jason Saundalkar, Head of Content at Big Project Middle East.

“Given the enthusiastic response to each of the categories, and the editorial team’s desire to recognise excellence across the construction supply chain, we will be recognising excellence across the construction supply chain. Congratulations to the individuals and companies who’ve made the shortlist, I look forward to revealing the full shortlist and winners on 26 June,” added Saundalkar.

The shortlist for the ME Digital Construction Awards is as follows (the full shortlist and winners will only be revealed on 26 June):

Young Technology Champion of the Year

• Iklim Okyar – AECOM
• Mohammed Irfan Baig Mirza – ALEC Engineering & Contracting
• Samer Saoud – Robert Bird Group

Digital Visionary of the Year

• Carolina Fong Guzzy – Accienta
• Marwan AbuEbeid – Turner Construction International
• Syed Saud – Red Sea Global

Digital Team of the Year

• Al Khoory Solutions
• AtkinsRéalis
• KEO International Consultants

Construction Software Provider of the Year

• BuilderComs
• Colliers International (India) Property Services
• IR Design

Technology SME of the Year

• Accienta
• Al Khoory Solutions

Data Champion of the Year

• DuPod
• KEO International Consultants

Excellence in Collaboration & Productivity of the Year

• Engineering Contracting Company
• KEO International Consultants
• Mott MacDonald

Net Zero Technology Champion of the Year

• AtkinsRéalis
• Innovo

Digital Construction Innovator of the Year

• Colliers International (India) Property Services
• KEO International Consultants
• Khansaheb Civil Engineering

Digital Consultant of the Year

• AECOM
• AtkinsRéalis
• Dewan Architects + Engineers
• Mott MacDonald

Digital Contractor of the Year

• ALEC Engineering & Contracting
• Engineering Contracting Company
• Innovo
• Khansaheb Civil Engineering

The ME Digital Construction Awards is sponsored by:

Silver Sponsor: Engineering Contracting Company
Bronze Sponsor: Thinkproject
Quality Sponsor: RIB | BuildSmart; RIB | Candy; RIB | CostX

Read more about the ME Digital Construction Awards by clicking here.

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Qatar’s biggest waterpark, Meryal, has announced the launch of its new adventure ride: the Alghazal Roller Coaster, blending modern entertainment and traditional themes in one of the region’s fastest rides. Although part of the waterpark, Alghazal is a ‘dry ride’ and will be perfect for guests who prefer to stay in regular attire, said the waterpark.

With a passenger height requirement of 110cm, the Alghazal roller coaster is designed to ensure that most kids, along with the whole family, can enjoy the excitement.

Meryal offers a total of 69 rides, slides, and attractions, with something for every thrill-seeker. The park’s theme celebrates Qatar’s rich history of oil and gas discovery, with motifs and branding seamlessly woven into every aspect of its design, said a statement.

Among its standout features is The Rig 1938, home to two Guinness World Record attempts, including the tallest tower in the world. Visitors can also enjoy the Rapid Refinery, where slides rotate to add an extra dimension of fun, and the Leap of Fate, known for its high-adrenaline rush.

The tube slide complex offers customisable music and lighting effects, while the Distillers Mat Racer Slide provides competitive, timed races. Other attractions, like the Oil Silk Lagoon and Turbulent Tunnel Wave River, are based around immersive aquatic adventures.

Meryal also features four pools and beaches, where guests can soak up the sun and enjoy serene surroundings. The water park aims to provide a complete vacation experience, as well as its fast-paced, highly individual fun rides and themed attractions, the statement concluded.

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Red Sea Global (RSG) is set to welcome 300,000 guests annually once the first phase of resorts is complete next year. Turtle Bay will be home to some 14,000 employees and their families, all of whom will benefit from easy access to quality healthcare and medical services, said a press release from the Saudi developer.

RSG is said to have made substantial progress on its Turtle Bay Hospital. The hospital located in The Red Sea’s Turtle Bay area will provide healthcare to the community of people living in, working at, and visiting waterfront.

The developer announced it received approval from the Ministry of Health (MOH) on the designs for the Turtle Bay Hospital, an achievement in allowing commence operations. It is the first project funded by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) to receive the MOH architectural approval and marks a milestone for the project, the statement noted.

“Securing this approval is a momentous occasion for our team who are working tirelessly to ensure that first-class healthcare is available at The Red Sea. Our vision for Turtle Bay Hospital to be a state-of-the-art facility is part of our broader ambitions to deliver a robust healthcare ecosystem for our growing project portfolio,” said Nicholas King, Group Chief Development Officer at Red Sea Global.

“The health and wellbeing of our guests and employees are our priority, and as we continue to champion Saudi capability, we are pleased to be working with several Saudi partners for the build, operations and supply of medical equipment. We eagerly anticipate the completion of Turtle Bay Hospital, which is set to open at the end of next year,” he added.

Abdullah Saeed Alsayed & Partners Contracting Company was awarded the construction contract for the new hospital and is set to mobilise onsite. The operator contract was awarded in early 2022 to Steward Alf Global Healthcare Company, a joint venture between Alf Healthcare, the health care arm of Saudi-based Alfanar, a developer and operator of large-scale PPP projects, and leading international healthcare provider Steward Health Care International.

The medical equipment contract for the hospital was also awarded earlier this year to Alf Healthcare. Once operational, the hospital will offer primary and secondary care including Diagnostics, Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Urology, Orthopaedic, Women’s Health, Emergency Care, amongst other services.

The Red Sea will be a dive destination and a hyperbaric chamber will also be operated as an integrated part of the facility’s Emergency Department, enabling primary treatment for diving incidents and barotrauma related injuries.

Upon full completion in 2030, The Red Sea will comprise 50 resorts, offering up to 8,000 hotel rooms and more than 1,000 residential properties across 22 islands and six inland sites. The destination will also include luxury marinas, golf courses, entertainment, F&B, and leisure facilities.

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Emirates NBD has been awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for twelve of its branches by the US Green Building Council (USGBC).

Seven of Emirates NBD’s branches in the UAE, located at Yas Mall, Al Reem Mall, Al Barsha Branch, Mirdif City Centre, Sharjah City Centre and Deira City Centre, have been certified LEED Platinum and Al Zahia Mall branch has been certified LEED Gold, marking a significant milestone in Emirates NBD’s sustainability commitments, said a statement.

In Saudi Arabia, Emirates NBD became the first bank to achieve LEED Platinum certification for its KAFD branch. This recognition was in addition to the recent six branches in Saudi Arabia awarded LEED Gold certificates, which included the branches in Jeddah; Trio Branch, Al Shefa Branch, Qourtobah Branch and Anas Bin Malik Branches in Riyadh in addition to Jubail Branch and Qassim Buraida Branch.

Commenting on the achievement, Eman Abdulrazzaq, Group Chief Operating Officer at Emirates NBD, said, “We are delighted to achieve LEED Platinum and Gold ratings across Fourteen of our UAE and Saudi Arabia bringing our total LEED certified branches to 27. This reflects our commitment to achieving the highest standard of green building performance and reducing operational emissions as part of our broader ESG Strategy.”

Vijay Bains, Chief Sustainability Officer and Group Head of ESG at Emirates NBD added, “Emirates NBD’s commitment to delivering global standards for sustainability in line with the UAE’s Net Zero goals and our COP28 commitments is clearly demonstrated through our achievement of Platinum and Gold LEED certification in numerous branches in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Emirates NBD is dedicated to ensuring that our branches use cutting edge technology and innovation in the built environment, so we play a key role in creating a healthy and sustainable future.”

“This achievement is a testament to our adherence to our sustainability goals and demonstrates how Emirates NBD leads by example when it comes to sustainability and embraces innovation in our operations,” he added.

Emirates NBD first received LEED certification across several of its branches in 2020, making it the first bank in the region to achieve this accolade. Emirates NBD Group was the Principal Banking Partner for the 28th edition of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), being held in Dubai, UAE in 2023 and is a key contributor to the UAE’s Sustainability agenda. The Group is a signatory to the UAE Climate-Responsible Companies Pledge initiated by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, in support of the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Initiative, the statement noted.

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Expansion works at Sharjah Airport’s passenger terminal and central facilities station are progressing on schedule, and are due to be completed by mid-2027, according to the Sharjah Airport Authority (SAA).

Following the completion of expansion works, SAA said that it will be able to enhance passenger services at the airport, and provide travellers with a more positive experience.

The project covers 18 packages of various expansion initiatives, and is said to be part of a broader expansion plan valued at US $653mn.

Confirming the progress on the project, SAA Chairman Ali Salim Al Midfa said the project will significantly increase the airport’s capacity, enabling it to handle up to 25m passengers per annum by mid-2027.

“Furthermore, the expansion prioritises sustainability by incorporating environmentally friendly materials and adhering to strict environmental standards. This aligns with the UAE’s initiative to achieve climate neutrality by 2050,” he commented.

To monitor the project’s progress, an engineering team led by Al Midfa visited Italy to meet with the overseeing company. During this visit, they reviewed the project’s progress, discussed designs, and explored implementation details, said the statement from SAA.

The collaboration aims to achieve excellence in this strategic development, solidifying Sharjah Airport’s regional and global standing. The team also participated in an interactive brainstorming session, fostering an exchange of ideas to ensure the project achieves its full potential, the statement concluded.

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A contract for strategic advisory and commercial management services (SACMS) has been inked between Jacobs and Metrolinx’s Capital Projects Group. Metrolinx is said to be overseeing the largest transportation investment in the history of Ontario, Canada.

Under the five-year SACMS, Jacobs will establish a framework of vendor firms that Metrolinx can call upon for current and future work for a range of services related to the delivery of its capital projects.

“As we continue our work with Metrolinx, we’ll integrate and leverage our local and international resources to meet their evolving needs. With our global program management experience including delivering UK’s Crossrail and Grand Central Madison in New York City, we’re well-positioned to support Metrolinx transformative projects as they pioneer progressive contracting and delivery models and prepare for introducing reliable new rail services,” said Jacobs Vice President and Program Director of Major Programmes, Neil Walker.

Metrolinx is working on several projects including the expansion of GO Transit, the expansion of subway systems in the Greater Toronto area, and a scheme to make fast, frequent and reliable transport more accessible.

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SOHO introduces it’s very first build-to-sell project in park life. SOHO Development, a design-led residential real estate developers have announced ‘The Berkeley’. The project is Dubai Hills Estate’s first furnished, hospitality-inspired residence. Devmark has been appointed as the agent for The Berkeley residential suites.

The Berkeley represents SOHO’s evolution from beachfront to parkfront properties, offering a luxurious lifestyle of New York City residences amidst Dubai’s landscapes. Building nine luxury villas on Palm Jumeirah and ‘SOHO Palm,’ a sought-after build-to-rent residential building, the statement said.

Set against the backdrop of the expansive Dubai Hills Park, the project offers revealing views of greenery and creates an oasis within the cityscape. The residences will offer personalised living space, echoing modern aesthetics and a hotel-inspired lifestyle that are hallmarks of SOHO’s properties.

Designed and crafted by the LW Design Group and XBD Collective, every aspect is conceived with the vision of redefining contemporary living, with every detail carefully curated for a seamless living experience. The lounge serves as a retreat for relaxation, while the azure pool emerges as an escape for leisure and indulgence, according to the press release.

Sahil Khosla, CEO of SOHO Development said, ”Following our success with beachfront properties, we’ve recognised the growing demand for a lifestyle where sophistication intertwines with the allure of park life, prompting us to introduce The Berkeley. This further highlights our commitment to creating homes that embody the essence of hotel living, enriched by design and innovation”

”Our collaboration with Devmark has been vital in realising our vision, emphasising the importance of partnering with those who share SOHO’s philosophy. Together, we’re excited to introduce The Berkeley, setting new standards in residential living” he further added.

Commenting on the partnership, Sean McCauley, CEO of Devmark, expressed, “Our partnership with SOHO Development on The Berkeley residences embodies a shared commitment to crafting exceptional living experiences. With Dubai Hills emerging as one of Dubai’s top five transacted areas, we anticipate strong demand for the residences that cater to modern homeowners’ preferences.”

Set to launch in 2024, The Berkeley boasts a prime location just minutes from Downtown Dubai and Al Khail Road. These residences aim to redefine luxurious living spaces, prioritising life, relaxation, and indulgence, all inspired by the standards of hospitality, the statement concluded.

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