DAMMAM: Foster & Partners has won an SR142 million contract to design four stations for the new high-speed Haramain railway linking the two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah with Jeddah.
Finance Minister Ibrahim Al-Assaf, chairman of Public Investment Fund (PIF), and Transport Minister Jabara Al-Seraisry, chairman of Saudi Railway Organization (SRO), yesterday signed the contract with the British company to carry out the project.
“This contract represents the second part the Haramain railway’s first phase. It is for preparing engineering designs, matching international standards,” said Al-Seraisry after signing the contract.
He said the four stations would be located in Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah and King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh, adding that Foster & Partners has long-standing experience in the field.
Foster is working in a joint venture with engineers Buro Happold on the stations, which will share a common planning strategy.
Each station will have separate arrival and departure areas with different building envelopes to respond to the individual cities they will serve.
The link, initiated by the Saudi Rail Organization, is one of the country’s major infrastructure projects, and is intended to bolster social and cultural connections between Saudi Arabia’s western cities, as well as improving transport options for pilgrims making their way to the holy cities.
Each station will have a distinct identity, with extensive facilities and a “high quality” passenger experience including ample circulation space, and segregated arrival and departure zones. Natural daylight in the public areas will be used as much as possible.
Abdul Aziz Al-Hoqail, president of SRO, said his organization was making preparations to invite tenders for implementing the second and final stage of the Haramain railway project. The RFPs (requests for proposals) will be handed over to the pre-qualified consortia by June. He said the project includes establishment of 450-km-long electric railway, supply of adequate number of speed trains, as well as operation and maintenance of the railway. The government had previously signed an SR6.7 billion agreement with Al-Rajhi consortium to carry out civil work. Later an SR360 million contract was signed with Dar Al-Handasa Consultants to supervise implementation of the project.
Al-Hoqail said a British consultancy company has been appointed to prepare the draft law for the Saudi Railway Authority, which will supervise railway services all over the country.