Iran’s Roads and Transport Ministry has signed a contract with China’s Sinomach Heavy Industry Corporation for the upgrade of the Tehran-Hamedan-Sanandaj railway line.

The project will require an investment of RMB5.3bn ($840m) over four years, according to reports by China-based media.

The line, which extends 470 kilometres, is expected to relieve transport pressure in Iran’s western region.

Reports did not specify how the investment will be split between the Iranian government and the Chinese contractor.

In April last year, Islamic Republic of Iran Railways and Russia’s RZD International signed a $1.28bn contract for the electrification of a 495-kilometre railway line from Garmsar to Inche Bouroun in Golestan near the border with Turkmenistan.

The project will be financed with Russian export credit.

Iran is undertaking work for close to 3,000km of railway line, including two new lines.

These include a 440km line called Gharb West rail, which extends from the City of Arak in central Markazi Province to the Khozravi Crossing in Kermanshah Province, which borders Iraq.