The largely Spanish consortium led by the local Al-Shoula Group has won the SAR30bn ($7.9bn) contract for phase two of the Haramain high-speed railway in Saudi Arabia.

The consortium was named preferred bidder for the deal in September 2010 (MEED 29:9:10).

The Al-Shoula consortium that includes six Spanish firms, Talgo, Indra, OHL, Dimetronic, Renfe and Adif, has been informed that it has won the contract, although it is yet to officially sign the deal.

Phase two covers the design and construction of the track, signalling, telecommunications, electrification and the building an operational control centre for the railway. It also covers the procurement and maintenance of the trains and involves building 25 rail bridges, 157 crossings, including wadi bridges and culverts, and 70 crossings for cars and camels in Mecca and Medina.

In February, the SRO awarded two contracts for the construction of four passenger stations to Saudi Binladin Group and Saudi Oger. This is package two of phase one. The stations will be built at Mecca, Medina, Jeddah and King Abdullah Economic City.