JEDDAH: The second phase of the Haramain Railway project linking the two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah as well as Jeddah and Rabigh with a high-speed train system will cost SR30.8 billion, Transport Minister Jabara Al-Seraisry announced on Tuesday.
"Negotiations have been completed with Al-Shoula consortium -- comprising 14 Saudi and Spanish companies -- to implement the project's second phase," the Saudi Press Agency quoted the minister as saying.
The project will be ready in three years.
The second phase includes importing and installation of rail tracks, signal and communication systems, electric systems and import of trains as well as maintenance, Al-Seraisry said, adding that the consortium would carry out operation and maintenance of the railway for 12 years.
"We have reached agreement on all points under negotiation, most importantly the implementation of the project at a cost of SR30.815 million and supply of 35 trains, each with 13 carriages including one for first class and another a restaurant cab," Al-Seraisry said.
The trains of the 444-km high-speed railway would be provided with health facilities.
The minister said the new trains, with a speed of more than 300 km/h, would reduce travel time between Makkah and Jeddah to less than half an hour and Madinah and Jeddah to less than two hours.
It will have stations in Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah, King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh and King Abdulaziz International Airport. Contracts have been signed to establish these stations. Al-Seraisry said the consortium would take over maintenance of civil works from the contractor of the first phase.
"It will also set up an advanced and well-equipped center to train Saudi manpower required for the railway," he said, indicating plans to Saudize 75 percent of the railway's jobs. "The consortium has also agreed to make necessary changes in civil works and provide additional roads required for the project," he said.
© Arab News 2011
