Saudi Arabia in talks for freight rail link between Riyadh, Jeddah

Saudi Arabia is in talks with major companies for a new rail project between Riyadh and Jeddah to facilitate the handling of cargo, and provide maintenance for the existing link, Al-Madina daily reported, citing Nabeel Al-Amudi, minister of transport.

The project contracts are likely to be concluded within one month, he added, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum at Davos.

The Kingdom had earlier completed the detailed design of its 950-kilometer Land Bridge railway project, which will link the country's major cities Jeddah and Riyadh, Argaam reported.

The railway will connect the port cities of Jeddah, Dammam and Jubail and will pass through the capital city Riyadh and serve its dry port.

In 2013, the Saudi Railway Co. signed a seven-year contract worth SAR 270 million with leading construction company Fluor to manage the project, oversee designs, and develop its implementation strategies.