Saudi Arabia has awarded Spanish engineering firm Tysa the lead design contract for the multi-billion-dollar Landbridge railway project linking the Red Sea to the Arabian Gulf, according to published reports.

The contract, awarded by Saudi Railway Company (SAR), marks renewed momentum for the strategic rail corridor. The project is a central component of the kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy to position itself as a global logistics hub.

Spanning 1,500 km, the Landbridge will connect  Jeddah on the Red Sea with Dammam and Jubail on the Gulf coast. The scheme includes around 950 km of new railway between Jeddah and Riyadh, alongside a 115-km link between Dammam and Jubail, while also upgrading existing rail infrastructure across the network.

The design contract follows a competitive tender process launched in 2025, with bids evaluated through the end of the year. 

The project is currently in an advanced planning phase, with the new design contract supporting the development of engineering concepts and detailed designs.

The relevant authorities have adopted a phased implementation model, replacing a single large-scale public-private partnership, to enhance flexibility and accelerate execution. Project management remains under the umbrella of a consortium comprising Hill International, Italferr, and Sener, allowing for the integration of global expertise in engineering, implementation strategies, and programme management.

Construction packages are set to be tendered in stages as detailed engineering progresses. The targeted completion of the project is 2034, said the reports.

Passenger trains on the network are expected to reach speeds of up to 250 km/h, while freight services could operate at up to 160 km/h, significantly cutting transit times between the kingdom’s western and eastern coasts.