Saudi Railway Company (SAR) has invited local and international contractors to prequalify for two projects.

One scheme covers the civil and track works for the 212-kilometre (km) Waad al-Shamal line.

This rail link will serve the $7bn phosphates city being built by Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Maaden). Phosphate production is due to begin in late 2016 and the line will be constructed to connect the city to the North-South railway in order to transport phosphate to Ras al-Khair in the kingdom’s Eastern Province.

The second project covers the provision of signalling and telecoms works on sections of the North-South line. This includes the planned 115km Jubail-Dammam link and the Jubail internal network, as well as the Waad al-Shamal railway.

The deadline for submission of prequalification documents is 12 November, with tender bids expected to be due in next January.

SAR recently awarded a SR827m ($220m) contract for the construction of the Jubail-Dammam railway to Greek company Terna and its local partner. The deal for the Jubail internal network has yet to be awarded.