UK Firm to Manage Saudi Rail Project

5 January 2010 (Last Updated January 5th, 2010 18:30)

The Saudi Railways Organisation (SRO) has signed UK group Scott Wilson to provide project management support for the Haramain high-speed rail project. The project involves building a 440km-long 320km/h railway connecting the cities of Makkah, Jeddah, the new King Abdullah Economic City an

The Saudi Railways Organisation (SRO) has signed UK group Scott Wilson to provide project management support for the Haramain high-speed rail project.

The project involves building a 440km-long 320km/h railway connecting the cities of Makkah, Jeddah, the new King Abdullah Economic City and Medina, as well as the International Airport in Jeddah.

Under the £14.5m ($23.2m) five-year deal, the company will provide technical, specialist engineering and programme management support services to the SRO.

According to the company, the project is the first high-speed rail programme in the Middle East. It will provide fast and safe transport for pilgrims to the Holy Cities and serve as a good public transport link between the country's fast-growing and economically active commercial centres.