Haramain bid deadline extended to April end

The project is due to be completed in end 2012

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The bid deadline for the second stage of the 450km Haramain Railway Project in Saudi Arabia has been extended from February 28 to end April, according to the Saudi Railway Organisation (SRO).

SRO president HE Abdulaziz Al Hokail said the move followed a request from a number of consortiums who called for the extension of the period granted to them to submit their technical and financial proposals, which was scheduled to take place by end of February.

The Haramain rail line will eventually connect Makkah with Madinah via Jeddah and King Abdullah Economic City. This will also connect to the Landbridge and the North-South rail line, linking Saudi's population centers with industrial zones and the new economic cities.

The project will help alleviate congestion on the road linking the two holy cities during the Muslim Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.

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The project is due for completion by the end of 2012.

In October, SRO short listed five consortiums in the prequalification stage to submit bids for the second and final phase of the project.

Five alliances led by China Railway Construction, Al Rajhi Group, Al Shoula Group, Saudi Bin Laden Group, and Al Badr Group were to submit their bids by the end of February.

The $1.4 billion worth of contracts will involve laying tracks, installing signals and communications, operation and maintenance. It also includes the procurement and maintenance of trains and upon completion of construction the bidders are required to maintain the entire infrastructure for 12 years.

Around 25 rail bridges will be constructed, including 15 outside cities and 10 inside cities. About 157 crossing structures will also be built, including 35 Wadi bridges and 122 culverts. Some 70 crossings for camels and cars were also identified by the committee, including 17 crossings in Makkah and 53 crossings in Madinah.