Webuild Secures Contract, Will Design High-Speed Railway in NEOM

Contract To Construct High-Speed Railway In NEOM

Webuild, in partnership with Shibh Al Jazira Contracting Company (SAJCO), has secured a significant contract valued at approximately €1.4 billion. This contract entails the design and construction of a 57-kilometre high-speed railway in NEOM, a visionary region situated along Saudi Arabia's north Red Sea coast.

The agreement focuses on developing the majority portion of the Connector, a railway that will connect Oxagon, NEOM's centre for advanced and clean industries, with The Line, an innovative city designed for the future. As a result of this project, Webuild expects to generate over 4,000 jobs, both directly and indirectly, in the Saudi Arabian market.

NEOM, known as one of Saudi Arabia's prominent giga-projects, is a region dedicated to sustainable urban living and improved livability. It gained recognition for its groundbreaking development known as "The Line, an extensive 170-kilometre city with no traditional roads or cars. This visionary city will accommodate up to nine million people within a compact footprint of just 34 square kilometres. NEOM aims to rely on 100% clean energy, utilising renewable sources like solar, wind, and green hydrogen-based energy.

The joint venture between Webuild and SAJCO follows a 70/30 partnership split, with Webuild, through its local branch and subsidiary Salini Saudi Arabia, leading the collaboration. The contract encompasses civil works for two high-speed railway tracks and two freight railway tracks.

Webuild will spearhead the execution of these tasks, which include the construction of viaducts, road bridges, and rail and road underpasses to support train speeds of up to 230 kilometres per hour.

Webuild brings its wealth of expertise and experience in high-speed railway projects to this endeavour, having successfully led the construction of challenging projects like the Terzo Valico dei Giovi in Italy. The Group has a long history of engagement in Saudi Arabia, with its initial involvement dating back to 1966, when it undertook hydraulic works in Mecca, Jeddah, and Riyadh. Over the years, Webuild has significantly contributed to the region, constructing over 70 health centres, the Al Faisaliah District Redevelopment Project, and the Kingdom Centre in Riyadh. Additionally, its subsidiary, Fisia Italimpianti, built the Shuaibah III Expansion II IWP desalination plant, providing clean water to more than one million residents in remote areas of Mecca and Taif.