Saudi Arabia Railways is preparing to award the design-and-build contract for the Riyadh Rail Link, a central component of the wider Saudi Landbridge programme, according to MEED.
The package covers a 35km double-track railway across Riyadh, connecting the North-South Railway with the Eastern Railway network. It includes the associated civil works, track systems and railway infrastructure.
Four contracting teams were previously reported to be participating: China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation with Al-Ayuni; Nesma & Partners with China Harbour Engineering Company; Al-Rashid Trading & Contracting with IC Δ°Γ§taΕ and Saipem; and Saudi Binladin Group.
SAR issued the tender on January 29 and subsequently entered post-tender clarification discussions. The latest report moves the procurement from evaluation towards an anticipated selection, although neither an award date nor an official contract value has been disclosed.
The link is intended to improve the movement of passengers and freight through the capital and provide a physical connection between two of the kingdomβs principal railway networks.
Contractors should treat claims that this individual package is worth $7bn cautiously: that figure is more commonly associated with the broader Landbridge programme and has not been confirmed for the 35km Riyadh contract.
Sources: MEED β award preparation, MEED β tender clarification and bidders.