JEDDAH: The Saudi Railways Organization (SRO) has handed over most of the sites on which Al-Haramain Train stations will be constructed to contractors in Makkah, Madina, Jeddah and King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh. This was announced Wednesday by Abdul Aziz Al-Huqail, SRO chief. The remaining sites will be handed over after the completion of expropriation procedures, he said. Al-Huqail said the design of the stations has taken into account the potential future growth in demand for rail services. Studies have shown that there is likely to be a tremendous increase in demand from pilgrims and visitors in the coming years. It also took into account support services for passengers including shopping centers and restaurants. Al-Huqail said the station designs reflect Islamic architecture and the historic identity of the cities where the stations will be built, in addition to the latest international specifications for express trains. Apart from this, the organization has also given due attention to the safety specifications for all the stations' facilities. Al-Huqail pointed out that the first bridge over the lanes of Al-Haramain Train has been completed; and construction work on the train's bridge on the Makkah-Jeddah Expressway is expected to be completed with the advent of the holy month of Ramadan.
