The Al-Shoula-led consortium is the preferred bidder for phase two of the $7bn Haramain high-speed railway line in Saudi Arabia.

The consortium has been compliant in all areas of the tender process, says an industry source. An award date is expected at the end of October of November, says a source close to the project.

The Al-Shoula consortium also includes the local Al-Rosan and Spanish companies Copasa, Imathia, Cobra, OHL, Dimetronic, Inabensa, Indra, Talgo, Renfe, Adif, and Consultrans. 

Phase two involves construction of the track, signalling, telecommunications, electrification and building an operational control centre for the railway. Phase two also involves procurement and maintenance of the trains.

Once construction work is complete, the successful bidder will operate and maintain the entire railway for 12 years.

The work on phase two will involve building 25 rail bridges, 157 crossings including wadi bridges and culverts and 70 crossings for cars and camels in Mecca and Medina.

The SRO said that just three consortiums have passed the technical evaluation to build the four stations of the railway, which is package two of phase one (MEED 3:9:10).

Package one of phase one, which comprises civil works is under way, including roadway excavation, the body of the track and building bridges and culverts.