International design and engineering consultancy Scott Wilson Group PLC (LSE: SWG) said it won a £14.5 million contract from the Saudi Railways Organisation (SRO) to provide project management support to the new Haramain High Speed Rail Project.
Under the five year contract, Scott Wilson will provide technical, specialist engineering and programme management support services to the SRO, both at its headquarters in Dammam and around the construction and commissioning sites.
This is the first high speed rail programme in the Middle East and is a 320 kilometres per hour railway linking the cities of Makkah, Jeddah, the new King Abdullah Economic City and Medina, as well as the International Airport in Jeddah. The 440 kilometre line will not only provide transport for pilgrims to the Holy Cities, but serve as a public transport link between fast growing and economically active commercial centres.
Group CEO Hugh Blackwood said: "Saudi Arabia is a rapid growth area with continuing investment in key infrastructure. Scott Wilson is delighted to be involved in such a high profile rail project which provides a further opportunity to apply our growing global rail credentials."