Saudi Arabia’s first sea-to-sea rail corridor is one of the biggest infrastructure projects in the Middle East.
Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia began building its long-awaited $7bn “Landbridge” railway, which will stretch from Jeddah on the Red Sea to Dammam on the Arabian Gulf, linking major industrial hubs, ports, and logistics centres, and creating an east–west corridor for freight and passengers.
Spanning more than 1,400km of new and upgraded track, it’s one of the largest infrastructure projects in the Middle East, and among the most ambitious globally.
Officials estimate it could save the kingdom $4.2bn in transportation costs each year and generate 200,000 jobs across related sectors.
Linking the kingdom
At the heart of the Landbridge is a 950km line connecting Riyadh and Jeddah, extending a further 146km north from Jeddah to King Abdullah Port.
The network also includes a 115km line from Dammam to Jubail, upgrades to the Riyadh–Dammam link, a Riyadh bypass, and a 172km extension from King Abdullah Port to Yanbu Industrial City.
Once completed, freight will move efficiently between Jeddah, Dammam, Jubail, Riyadh, King Khalid Airport, King Abdullah Port, and Yanbu.
The project will also feature seven new logistics centres along key routes, boosting the kingdom’s multimodal transport capabilities.
Riyadh rail link: the first step
A crucial early phase is the Riyadh rail link, a 35km line stretching from the northern to southern parts of the city.
Saudi Arabia Railways has invited leading contractors to submit expressions of interest to develop this section, which will connect the North–South Railway with the Eastern Railway Network.
The contract includes the construction of viaducts, signalling systems, utilities, and civil works, ensuring the rail link meets international standards.
This section will integrate the new Landbridge network with existing lines and streamline freight circulation across the kingdom.
The Riyadh rail link is also a central part of the $7bn Landbridge initiative, complementing 1,500km of new track, including the 900km Riyadh–Jeddah line, and linking King Abdullah Port with Yanbu, alongside upgrades to the Riyadh–Dammam line.
Partners on board
The project is being delivered by the Saudi China Landbridge Consortium, a partnership between Saudi Arabia Railways and China Civil Engineering Construction Company, with local support from Al-Ayuni Contracting.
International firms involved include Systra, Thales, WSP, Aldhabaan & Partners/Eversheds Sutherland, ALG Infrastructure, and Calx Consultancy.
Hill International (US), Italferr (Italy), and Sener (Spain) were appointed in December 2023 to provide project management services.
Full steam ahead for Saudi-Chinese cooperation
The Landbridge has a long history. Initially announced in 2004, it was paused in 2010 before being revived in 2011.
Cooperation with China was reaffirmed during President Xi Jinping’s 2022 visit, with both countries committing to accelerate the project.
Chinese investment in Saudi Arabia has surged, with FDI stock reaching $8.2bn in 2024, up 29% from 2023.
In 2023, China became the largest source of greenfield investment, pledging $16.8bn across energy, manufacturing, and logistics under Vision 2030.
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