Saudi to invite designs for Landbridge project

A tender targeting local contractors for the Landbridge rail project in Saudi Arabia is imminent.

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Saudi Arabia's state-owned Public Investment Fund (PIF), and its unit Saudi Railway Company, is to invite local and international consultants to prepare designs for the Landbridge rail project next week. This will reportedly take place next week, according to Jeddah-based daily newspaper Okaz.

"After the appointment of the project manager, a tender will be launched targeting local contractors, who will form consortia with international companies to implement the project," said Al Maiman.

The $7bn mega-project was approved by Saudi Arabia's Council of Ministers in October 2011. It involves construction of 950km of line between Riyadh and Jeddah, plus another 115km between Dammam and Jubail. The project also covers the expansion if the existing Riyadh to Dammam railway.

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Once completed, the nation’s first link between the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf will see freight speed between Jeddah and the King Abdul Aziz Port in Dammam.

Transport Minister Jabara Al-Seraisry said: “The Landbridge project, along with the North-South Railway and the Haramain Railway, will have a big impact on the social and economic development of the country.”