JEDDAH — The second phase of the Al-Haramain High Speed Rail project will start soon with the establishment of the new Briman flyover. Sources told Okaz daily that the Al-Rajhi Alliance, entrusted with the civil works for the project, will begin construction work of the flyover next week. Technicians expect the flyover to be completed within nine months, after which work will begin in the demolition of Prince Mohammed Bin Abdul Aziz or Al-Tahlia flyover and later the King Abdullah flyover. The new link will extend to East Jeddah and will be linked to the new 100 KM ring road being built by the Ministry of Transport, stretching from the south, east and north of Jeddah to Dhahban. Abdul Aziz Al-Hokail, President of Saudi Railways Organization, said that the first phase of the project is underway, which includes reclamation and demolition of a number of flyovers. “The intersection of the Haj terminal with the air base is completed, and is open for traffic, while work is underway on the intersection of the air defense base, and is expected to be completed within a few months. The pre-cast concrete phase of the Tahlia-Briman intersection has began, and the second phase includes the construction of four passenger stations in Makkah, Jeddah, Madinah, and King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh,” he said. Al-Hokail pointed out that completed sites will be handed over to the second phase contractor for the implementation of Phase II, which deals with the upper infrastructure, signaling and communications systems, electrification of lines, supply of passenger trains, and maintenance equipment, including the operation and maintenance of the project for the 12-year duration of the contract. — SG
