The consortium was widely expected to win the SR 430 million ($115 million) lump-sum turnkey (LSTK) contract following the submission in April of commercial and technical proposals in which it ranked first. Two other groups submitted bids (MEED 17:12:04).

The scope of works for the 24-month contract involves the design, supply, installation and five-year maintenance of the communications network. The signalling system, based on the European train control system, will be installed in 20 locations along the double-line track between Dammam and Hofuf and the single line between Hofuf and Riyadh, which have a combined length of more than 1,000 kilometres.

The work also includes the installation of a digital video surveillance system, a communications backbone based on an open transport network common platform, a centralised traffic control system at Dammam station, site civil works and a complete power system (MEED 22:4:05).