Six consortiums have submitted bids for work on package two of phase one of the $7bn Haramain high-speed railway line between Mecca and Medina.

The Saudi Railways Organisation (SRO) recieved technical and financial proposals on 10 July, says a source at the SRO. The consortiums are:

• Al-Arrab Alliance
• Al-Mabani General Contractors
• Freyssinet Saudi Arabia Consortium
• Nesma & Partners Contracting Company
• Saudi Binladin Group 
• Saudi Oger

The local Al-Yamama Company for Trading & Contracting and the Azmeel Alliance with China Railway No.17 did not submit bids.

Package two involves the design and construction of four stations at Mecca, Medina, Jeddah and King Abdullah Economic City.

The UK’s Foster & Partners has now finished the design part of the package.

The kingdom’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is evaluating the bids with the SRO. The PIF is funding the scheme.

The SRO received two bids for work on phase two of the railway from the local Al-Shoula Group and Al-Rajhi Holding Group with France’s Alstom on 3 July (MEED 7:7:10).

Phase two involves construction of the track, signalling, telecommunications, electrification and building an operational control centre for the railway. Phase two also involves procurement and maintenance of the trains.

Package one of phase one, which comprises civil works is now 90 per cent complete. Civil works include roadway excavation, the body of the track, and building bridges and culverts.