The UK’s Invensys Rail Dimetronic has won a $676m contract to supply signalling for phase two of the Haramain high-speed railway in Saudi Arabia.

This is part of the main construction contract that covers phase two. The local Al-Shoula led consortium signed the contract on 26 October. The other members of the Al-Shoula consortium include six Spanish firms, Talgo, Indra, OHL, Dimetronic, Renfe and Adif (MEED 26:10:11).

Invensys Rail Dimetronic will provide the full turn-key signalling and train control systems. The contract includes a 12-year maintenance period.

The contract for phase two covers the construction of the railway tracks, installation of signalling and telecommunication systems, electrification, construction of the operational control centre, the procurement of 35 trains and the operation and maintenance of the railway for 35 years.

Phase two also involves building 25 rail bridges, 157 crossings, including wadi bridges and culverts, and 70 crossings for cars and camels in Mecca and Medina.

The other bidding consortium led by France’s Alstom was thought to have lost out on the Haramain contract due to its involvement with the Jerusalem light-railway project.