Businessmen have welcomed the plan of Saudi Railway Organization (SRO) to establish a 660-km railway line between Jeddah and Jazan, according to Eye of Riyadh website.
The businessmen said it would boost the two regions’ economic, commercial and social development.
The SRO has recently concluded a contract with an engineering consultancy firm to conduct a feasibility study on the project.
The consultancy firm has completed the first phase of its study, which has taken into account the railway line’s designs.
Mohammed Al-Suwaiket, SRO's chief, said the plan is to expand the Saudi railway network. “We have drafted a strategic plan for railway expansion spanning 9,900 km and 19 railway lines,” he noted.
This new line will be established parallel to the international coastal highway that serves many major roads and the Jazan Economic City.
Al-Suwaiket added that the dual line between Jeddah and Southern Jazan would pass Shuaiba, Al-Laith, Madhleef, Qunfudah, Amq, Barak, Qahma, Shuqaiq and Sabya. It would be linked with the land bridge project that connects Riyadh with the Red Sea port city.