Earlier this yr, Saudi Arabia started constructing its long-awaited $7bn “Landbridge” railway, which can stretch from Jeddah on the Purple Sea to Dammam on the Arabian Gulf, linking main industrial hubs, ports, and logistics centres, and creating an east–west hall for freight and passengers.
Spanning greater than 1,400km of recent and upgraded monitor, it’s one of many largest infrastructure initiatives within the Center East, and among the many most bold globally.
Officers estimate it might save the dominion $4.2bn in transportation prices annually and generate 200,000 jobs throughout associated sectors.
On the coronary heart of the Landbridge is a 950km line connecting Riyadh and Jeddah, extending an extra 146km north from Jeddah to King Abdullah Port.
The community additionally features a 115km line from Dammam to Jubail, upgrades to the Riyadh–Dammam hyperlink, a Riyadh bypass, and a 172km extension from King Abdullah Port to Yanbu Industrial Metropolis.
As soon as accomplished, freight will transfer effectively between Jeddah, Dammam, Jubail, Riyadh, King Khalid Airport, King Abdullah Port, and Yanbu.
The venture will even characteristic seven new logistics centres alongside key routes, boosting the dominion’s multimodal transport capabilities.
Riyadh rail hyperlink: step one
A vital early section is the Riyadh rail hyperlink, a 35km line stretching from the northern to southern elements of the town.
Saudi Arabia Railways has invited main contractors to submit expressions of curiosity to develop this part, which can join the North–South Railway with the Japanese Railway Community.
The contract consists of the development of viaducts, signalling methods, utilities, and civil works, guaranteeing the rail hyperlink meets worldwide requirements.
This part will combine the brand new Landbridge community with current traces and streamline freight circulation throughout the dominion.
The Riyadh rail hyperlink can also be a central a part of the $7bn Landbridge initiative, complementing 1,500km of recent monitor, together with the 900km Riyadh–Jeddah line, and linking King Abdullah Port with Yanbu, alongside upgrades to the Riyadh–Dammam line.
The venture is being delivered by the Saudi China Landbridge Consortium, a partnership between Saudi Arabia Railways and China Civil Engineering Development Firm, with native assist from Al-Ayuni Contracting.
Worldwide corporations concerned embrace Systra, Thales, WSP, Aldhabaan & Companions/Eversheds Sutherland, ALG Infrastructure, and Calx Consultancy.
Hill Worldwide (US), Italferr (Italy), and Sener (Spain) have been appointed in December 2023 to supply venture administration companies.
Full steam forward for Saudi-Chinese language cooperation
The Landbridge has a protracted historical past. Initially introduced in 2004, it was paused in 2010 earlier than being revived in 2011.
Cooperation with China was reaffirmed throughout President Xi Jinping’s 2022 go to, with each international locations committing to speed up the venture.
Chinese language funding in Saudi Arabia has surged, with FDI inventory reaching $8.2bn in 2024, up 29% from 2023.
In 2023, China turned the most important supply of greenfield funding, pledging $16.8bn throughout vitality, manufacturing, and logistics underneath Imaginative and prescient 2030.
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