Makkah train to boost construction by $50bn

A mega train project in Saudi Arabia’s western town of Makkah will boost construction activity by nearly SAR186.7 billion (USD50 billion) in the city and surrounding areas, the project director was reported on Sunday as saying.

Construction and operation of the project, which will be completed within 10 years, will cost nearly SAR145.5 billion (USD39 billion) and it will eventually include a total 182 km of rail lines, 88 train stations and a large number of public buses, said Ali Abdul Fattah, technical director of the Makkah public transport company.

Quoted by the Saudi Arabic language daily Aleqtisadiah, he said the project would generate a total revenue of nearly SAR294 billion (USD78.4 billion).

“The project will contribute to expanding economic activity in the construction and operation sector by SAR186.7 billion,” he said.

He said the project would initially involve 114 km of rail lines and 62 train stations by 2029 and that they would be increased to 182 km and 88 stations later.

“The first phase of the metro project is scheduled to be completed after three years and the network will include 44 km of lines and 22 stations,” he said.

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