Saudi Arabia’s SAR has tendered the design and build contract for the $7 billion Riyadh section of the Saudi Landbridge project. Dubbed the Riyadh rail link, it will run from north to south Riyadh. The tender was issued on 29 January with a bid submission deadline of 29 March. The scope of work includes constructing a 35-kilometer-long double-track railway line connecting SAR’s North-South Railway.

The rail link will also find its way to the Eastern Railway network. The contract also covers the procurement, construction and installation of associated infrastructure. These include viaducts, civil works, utility installations, signaling systems and other related works.

The project is expected to form a key component of the Saudi Landbridge railway. Last month, SAR said it would deliver the Saudi Landbridge project through a “new mechanism” by 2034. The move came after they failed to reach an agreement with a Chinese consortium for the construction of the project. Another project the SAR is keenly keeping a look on is the Riyadh Doha high-speed rail that is expected to link Riyadh and Doha.

Other Projects

These projects will be fundamental in providing direct access to various landmarks within Riyadh during the Riyadh Expo 2030. The expo project is advancing well as Saudi Arabia’s Expo 2030 Riyadh Company (ERC) has issued contract tenders for the construction of site offices. The site offices contract is part of Saudi Arabia’s $7.8 billion Expo 2030 Riyadh project. The package was retendered in early February, with a bid submission deadline of 26 February. Moreover, the contract was first tendered in May last year, with bids submitted in July. The tendering activity follows the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) issuing a design-and-build tender for the construction of a new metro station. The proposed metro station is expected to be fundamental in serving the Expo 2030 site.

Next Steps

After the fallout, SAR CEO Bashar Bin Khalid noted that the consortium failed to meet local content requirements SAR Saudi Landbridge Project. Moreover, he noted that the project will now be delivered several phases under a different procurement model. Discussions on the project have been ongoing between Saudi Arabia and China-backed investors keen to develop it through a public-private partnership.

Al-Malik said that the project cost is about SR100bn ($26.6bn). It comprises more than 1,500 kilometers (km) of new track. The core component is a 900km new railway between Riyadh and Jeddah. This will provide direct freight access to the capital from King Abdullah Port on the Red Sea. Other key sections also include upgrading the existing Riyadh-Dammam line. It also includes a bypass around the capital called the Riyadh Link, and a link between King Abdullah Port and Yanbu.

Outline on the SAR Saudi Landbridge Project

The Saudi Landbridge project was first announced by SAR in 2004. However, it was put on hold in 2010 before being revived a year later. Key stumbling blocks were rights-of-way issues, route alignment and its high cost. The Landbridge is one of the kingdom’s most anticipated project programs. Last year, SAR had issued a tender for the lead design consultancy services contract on the Saudi Landbridge railway network.

If it proceeds, the Saudi Landbridge will be one of the largest railway projects ever undertaken in the Middle East. Moreover, it will also be one of the biggest rail projects globally. Based on typical design timeframes, tenders for construction are likely to be ready by mid-2026. However, the the question of how it will be financed will need to be answered before it can proceed to the next step.

Project Factsheet

• Name: Saudi Landbridge Railroad Project.
• Client: Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR)
• Estimated Cost: Total program: SR100bn ($26.6bn)
• Riyadh section: $7bn
• Current Tender: Contract: Design & Build
• Length: 35km Riyadh Rail Link
• Issued: 29 January
• Bid Deadline: 29 March

Scope Includes:

• Track construction
• Viaducts & civil works
• Signaling systems Utilities.
• Access to North-South Railway and Eastern Railway.

Overall Project Scope

• Over 1,500km of new railway
• Riyadh and Jeddah core line is 900km.
• Cargo connection between King Abdullah Port and Riyadh.
• Riyadh Dammam line upgrade.
• Connections to bypass capital and Yanbu.

Key Firms Involved

Consortiums / Management:

• Saudi Railway Company (SAR) (owner/developer)

• China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC)

• Al Ayuni (local Saudi partner)

• Italferr (Italy)

• Sener (Spain)

• Hill International (USA)

Design & Consultancy:

• Arabian Consulting Engineering Centre (ACEC)

• Parsons Brinckerhoff (earlier planning support)

Delivery Plan

• Delivering in phases using new procurement model.
• Target completion: 2034
• Funding arrangement is yet to be secured.

Significance

• Among the biggest construction projects of the railway in the Middle East.
• The central point to enhancing Saudi freight and port connectivity.

Key Contractors/Developers

Owner & Client

• Saudi Railway Company (SAR) – The state-owned railway operator and project owner driving the Landbridge development.

Project Management & Consultancy

• Consortium:

  • Hill International – Project management expert providing consultancy on delivery strategy and controls.

  • Italferr – Italian rail design and also engineering firm leading planning and design phases.

  • Sener – Spanish engineering partner contributing technical expertise.

(This consortium was awarded the project management services contract for the Landbridge scheme.)

Design & Engineering

• SYSTRA – Rail infrastructure design specialist involved in preliminary design work, alongside key partners.

• Al‑Ayuni Contracting – Saudi local partner for consortium design and delivery coordination.

• China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation – Part of the broader consortium structure under the Saudi China Landbridge Consortium.

• WSP – Consultant providing technical advisory services.

Legal & Advisory

• Aldhabaan & Partners – Local legal partner for Eversheds & Sutherland legal advisory.

• Eversheds & Sutherland – International legal advisory firm supporting contractual and PPP structuring.

Specialist Consultancy & Technical Support

• Thales – Technology partner for signalling and also control systems (identified as a consortium member).

• ALG Infrastructure & Calx Consultancy – Additional technical and also infrastructure consultancy contributors referenced in consortium team listings.