Saudi Landbridge Riyadh section is nearing a construction contract award after Saudi Arabia Railways completed another major tender milestone. The $7 billion railway package will deliver a 35-kilometre double-track line across Riyadh. The project will connect the North-South Railway with the existing Eastern Railway network. Consequently, the link will strengthen Riyadh’s role within Saudi Arabia’s national rail infrastructure.
Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) expects to make the contract decision imminently. MEED reports that SAR opened the commercial proposals about two weeks ago. The authority began post-tender clarifications with bidders in July.
Contractors submitted their commercial proposals on 30 June 2026. SAR issued the original design-and-build tender on 29 January 2026. The procurement process therefore has progressed from tendering into final commercial evaluation.
Saudi Landbridge Riyadh Section enters final award stage
The Saudi Landbridge Riyadh section covers a major railway construction package within the capital. The scope extends beyond track installation and includes several supporting infrastructure works.
Contractors will construct the 35-kilometre double-track railway between the two existing railway networks. The contract also covers viaducts, civil works and utility diversions or installations.
Furthermore, the winning contractor will procure and install signaling systems. The scope also includes other infrastructure required to complete the operational railway.
The north-to-south alignment will provide a direct connection between SAR’s North-South Railway and Eastern Railway. Therefore, the project will improve integration between Saudi Arabia’s existing rail corridors.
SAR expects the Riyadh Rail Link to become a key component of the wider Saudi Landbridge. The connection will consequently support the Kingdom’s long-term freight and logistics ambitions.
Four bidding groups remain in contention for the construction contract. Their composition brings together Saudi, Chinese, Turkish and international construction capabilities.
China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation and Al-Ayuni Investment & Contracting form one bidding group. Nesma & Partners and China Harbour Engineering Company form another.
Al-Rashid Trading & Contracting, IC Ictas Construction and Saipem form the third group. Saudi Binladin Group submitted the fourth proposal.
Saudi Landbridge Riyadh Section supports wider railway construction
The Saudi Landbridge Riyadh Section represents one component of a much larger national railway program. SAR expects the wider Landbridge to transform connections between Saudi Arabia’s eastern and western regions.
The complete program comprises more than 1,500 kilometers of new railway infrastructure. SAR’s CEO previously placed the wider program cost at approximately $26.6 billion.
A core element involves approximately 900 kilometers of railway between Riyadh and Jeddah. That route will provide direct freight access between Riyadh and King Abdullah Port on the Red Sea.
The wider program also includes upgrades to the existing Riyadh-Dammam railway. Additionally, SAR plans a Riyadh bypass and a connection between King Abdullah Port and Yanbu.
The railway program has faced significant delays since Saudi Arabia first announced it in 2004. Rights-of-way issues, route alignment and high costs previously affected implementation.
SAR changed its delivery strategy after negotiations with a Chinese consortium failed. SAR CEO Bashar Bin Khalid Al-Malik said the consortium failed to meet local-content requirements.
Consequently, SAR plans to deliver the Landbridge through several phases under a different procurement mechanism. The authority targets completion of the wider program by 2034.
The Riyadh contract could therefore provide a critical construction milestone for the broader railway program. Its award would also establish a clearer path toward delivering subsequent Landbridge components.
TYPSA serves as lead design consultant for the wider Landbridge program. SAR appointed the Spanish engineering company in April 2026.
The Riyadh rail link also supports Saudi Arabia’s broader ambitions for regional railway connectivity. Its development comes as the Kingdom pursues major cross-border rail infrastructure, including the proposed Riyadh-Doha high-speed rail line connecting Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The 785-kilometre project would further strengthen Riyadh’s position as a regional railway hub.
Meanwhile, Hill International, Italferr and Sener provide project-management consulting services for the wider Saudi Landbridge. Hill identifies the Saudi Landbridge Railway Network among its rail and transit projects.
Project Fact Sheet
Name: Saudi Landbridge – Riyadh Rail Link.
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Owner: Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR).
Sector: Railway and transport infrastructure.
Riyadh section value: Approximately $7 billion.
Wider Landbridge program value: Approximately $26.6 billion.
Riyadh Rail Link length: 35 kilometers.
Railway configuration: Double-track railway.
Alignment: North-to-south across Riyadh.
Northern connection: SAR North-South Railway.
Southern connection: Eastern Railway network.
Contract model: Design and build.
Tender issue date: 29 January 2026.
Commercial proposal submission: 30 June 2026.
Current procurement stage: Commercial evaluation and post-tender clarification.
Expected milestone: Contract award decision.
Main construction scope: 35-kilometre double-track railway.
Civil engineering scope: Viaducts and associated civil works.
Utilities scope: Utility diversions and installations.
Railway systems scope: Signaling systems and associated infrastructure.
Wider Landbridge scope: More than 1,500 kilometers of new railway.
Core Landbridge route: Approximately 900 kilometers between Riyadh and Jeddah.
Additional railway works: Riyadh-Dammam railway upgrades.
Additional infrastructure: Riyadh bypass and King Abdullah Port-Yanbu connection.
Wider program delivery: Multiple phases.
Wider program completion target: 2034
Project Team
Client and project owner: Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR)
Lead design consultant: TYPSA
Project management consultants:
Tendering contractors:
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