Saudi Binladin Group, Saudi Oger, Spanish firms Al-Shoula Holding Group and OHL, and France's Al Rahji are bidding for the project, which is due to be announced in the third quarter 2008.

Six consortiums were originally pre-qualified to bid for the right to build the railway line. The Saudi / Japanese consortium, which included Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, A K Al Muhaidib & Sons Company and Veolia Transport, has not submitted a bid (MEED 29:6:08)

The client is Saudi Railways Organisation.

To alleviate traffic congestion between the two cites, especially during the pilgrimage season, the government plans to build a high-speed rail link between the two holy cities, via Jeddah, Raibigh and King Abdullah Economic City.

The route will stretch 444 kilometres and have up to seven stations. The first will be built in Mecca near the Grand Mosque, with the second located on the city outskirts. Two more will be in Jeddah, one in Rabigh and one more at Medina, about three kilometres from the Holy Mosque.

Construction is due to be completed in the fourth quarter 2013.