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French firm in advanced talks for Al-Ula tram

17 May 2023

 

Saudi Arabia's Royal Commission for Al-Ula (RCU) is engaged in advanced discussions with France's Alstom regarding implementing an electric tram in Al-Ula.

The RCU has specified certain technical requirements to ensure that the electrification of the rail system remains concealed from the view of travellers in order to provide an authentic journey experience, sources have told MEED.

These constraints have led potential bidders, such as Japan's Hitachi, to withdraw from the project.

The proposed tram network will cover a distance of 50 kilometres (km), extending from Al-Ula International airport in the south to Hegra City in the north.

Its purpose is to connect landmarks and historical heritage sites in the governorate.

The northern Red Line of the tram will link various landmarks and archaeological sites, including those outlined in the RCU's comprehensive Journey Through Time masterplan.

The initial phase of the network will stretch for 22km, with phase two expanding it to 33km, running from the south to the airport.

In July 2022, the RCU appointed French engineering company Systra for the project design.

In April 2021, the RCU unveiled an investment plan worth SR57bn ($15bn) to regenerate the Al-Ula tourism destination in the Medina region. Under this plan, approximately $3.2bn has been allocated for infrastructure development, including constructing an environmentally friendly tramway and establishing renewable energy sources to meet 50 per cent of the development's energy requirements.

To ensure the successful delivery and operation of the infrastructure projects in Al-Ula, the RCU signed a long-term strategic partnership in October 2022 with a French consortium consisting of Egis, Assystem and Setec. This consortium will bring expertise in infrastructure programme management and construction management, supporting the timely completion of Al-Ula's most urgent projects and the region's long-term development, including implementing the Al-Ula tramway.

The comprehensive development plan for Al-Ula is divided into three phases, scheduled to be completed by 2035. Phase one of the masterplan is nearing completion, while phase two is set to commence at the end of 2023.

MEED's latest special report on Saudi Arabia includes:

> GIGAPROJECTS: Saudi Arabia under project pressure
> ECONOMY: Riyadh steps up the Vision 2030 tempo
> CONSTRUCTION: Saudi construction project ramp-up accelerates
> UPSTREAM: Aramco slated to escalate upstream spending
> DOWNSTREAM: Petchems ambitions define Saudi downstream
> POWER: Saudi Arabia reinvigorates power sector
> WATER: Saudi water begins next growth phase
> BANKING: Saudi banks bid to keep ahead of the pack
> DATABANK: Riyadh holds its buoyant economic heading

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Eva Levesque

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