A new £5.5billion project set to connect the Red Sea to the Persian Gulf is due to start development this year after extensive planning applications.
The Saudi Landbridge project is a major railway development in Saudi Arabia, spanning 1,491 miles from the Red Sea port of Jeddah to the Persian Gulf port of Dammam, passing through Riyadh.
It will connect major cities, with the construction involving the development of bridges, tunnels and viaducts to overcome the challenging terrain.
The line is expected to be able to transport two million containers each year, as well as passengers which will see a significant boost in economic benefits.
The line will reduce transportation time of goods, create new jobs, and decrease the country’s reliance on oil exports.
Though the completion date has been delayed, it is now set for 2027, with work thought to be starting this year.
Bids for the contract were received by Saudi Railway Company (SAR) in October 2022 and the consortium has overcome rival proposals from Systra and a consortium of Parsons and Egis.
A consortium of Italy’s Italferr, Sener, Spain, and Hill International have been confirmed as the preferred bidders for the project.
The project will be split into six sections, with the first being upgrading the current Jubail Industrial City internal network. The second is the upgrade of the existing Jubail – Dammam line, adding 21 miles of tracks.
The third section will be upgrading the Dammam – Riyadh line, adding an additional 54 miles of tracks. The Riyadh bypass will be the fourth section, adding a total of 63 miles to the line.
The fifth section is a significant 590 mile link from Riyadh to Jeddah, which will continue for 90 miles to King Abdullah Port.
And the final section will be the new 106 mile line from King Abdullah Port to Yanbu Industrial City.
Plans to improve the lines were originally put forward in 2004, taking two decades for work to start.
