Final phase of Al Haramain Train to be signed soon

A rendering of one of the Haramain train stations.

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The final phase of the multi-billion dollar Al Haramain Train project will be signed soon, linking Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah, Saudi Arabian authorities said on Monday.

This phase will see the purchase of 35 trains, along with 13 carriages, traffic signs and railway tracks, which are set to be installed by a Saudi consortium at a reported cost of around $8bn.

The deal will include the winning consortium carrying out maintenance and operations for 12 years. At present, civil works are being completed in addition to the building of four train stations.

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According to the Saudi Gazette, the contractor in charge of the project has begun demolishing some properties to make way for the new Briman Bridge. Traffic is temporarily being redirected while demolition takes place.

A Saudi Railways Organisation (SRO) report has said that this is likely to be the most difficult phase of the project due to the considerable coordination required with the relevant authorities to ensure that the detours on Al Haramain Highway, along with the renovation of bridges on the highway, and the moving of traffic signs, take place without overly disrupting the flow of traffic.

Over 153 bridges will be built outside the urban area, 20 of which have been completed. A total of 678 flood drainage canals will also be constructed.