Saudi Arabia is preparing to appoint a consultant imminently for the concept design of the planned Red Sea crossing that will link the kingdom with Egypt, according to sources with knowledge of the project.

MEED understands that US-based Aecom and UK-based Arup are among the firms that submitted a bid for the contract.

The crossing, which was initially announced in 2011 and approved by both governments in 2016, is expected to play a vital role in the execution of Saudi Arabia’s $500bn Neom project, which will extend into Egypt as well as Jordan.

MEED understands Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) is considering using a public-private partnership (PPP) model for the scheme, similar to other transport projects being planned in and around the kingdom.

In 2011, it was understood that 32-kilometre Red Sea crossing bridge was to stretch over the Straits of Tiran from Ras Humaid in Tabuk, in the northern region of Saudi Arabia, to Ras Nasrani, which is close to the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.

At the time the project was estimated to have a budget of $4bn.

In 2016, local companies told MEED that there have been discussion held on developing the bridge in the port city of Safaga, near Hurghada, Egypt’s largest Red Sea holiday resort.

Linking Saudi Arabia and Egypt is not a new idea, with plans to develop the causeway first mooted as far back as 1988.