The Royal Commission for al-Ula (RCU) has signed an electric tram design agreement with France-headquartered engineering company Systra as part of its development plan for the heritage Al-Ula region in northwest Saudi Arabia.

The tram network will span 50 kilometres (km) from Al-Ula International airport in the south to Hegra city in the north, and link the governorate to landmarks and historical heritage sites.

The northern ‘red’ line will link landmarks and archaeological sites including those covered under RCU’s Journey Through Time masterplan.

Phase 1 of the tram design is expected to be completed in 2023. Phase 2 of the network will span 33km from the south to the airport.

RCU revealed an SR57bn ($15bn) investment plan for its regeneration project at the Al-Ula tourism destination in the Medina region in April 2021.

Spending of $3.2bn has been earmarked for infrastructure. This includes a 46km low-carbon tramway, with 22km to be developed as its first phase, and the development of renewable energy to meet 50 per cent of the development’s total demand.

In October, RCU signed a long-term strategic partnership with a French consortium comprising Egis, Assystem and Setec, which will oversee the delivery and operation of infrastructure at Al-Ula.

The consortium will bring infrastructure programme management and construction management capabilities to support on-time delivery of Al-Ula’s most urgent projects and long-term development.