Saudi Arabia Launches $7 Billion High-Speed Rail Project
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has announced a new $7 billion high-speed railway project connecting the Red Sea to the Persian Gulf. The project aims to link the kingdom’s major cities and mark a new era in transportation and trade across the Arabian Peninsula.
The ambitious “Land Bridge” project, already dubbed the “Desert Miracle,” will connect Jeddah on the Red Sea with Dammam on the Persian Gulf via Riyadh, covering about 1,500 kilometers.
Once completed, travel time between Riyadh and Jeddah will drop from 12 hours by car to less than 4 hours by train.
The project will expand the nation’s railway network from 5,300 km to over 8,000 km, positioning Saudi Arabia as a key logistics and transport hub for the Gulf and the wider Arab region.
The Saudi Railway Company (SAR) plans to build modern freight and passenger stations linking the King Abdullah Port with industrial cities such as Yanbu.
As part of its modernization program, SAR has ordered 15 new trains capable of speeds up to 200 km/h.
The new rail line is seen as a crucial step toward economic diversification and supports the kingdom’s long-term “Vision 2030” strategy.
