SYSTRA SIGNS A CONTRACT FOR THE DESIGN OF THE ALULA TRAMWAY IN SAUDI ARABIA

The Royal Commission of AlUla has selected the SYSTRA Group to carry out the preliminary and detailed design studies for the AlUla tramway project in the areas of infrastructure, landscape and architecture, stations, workshop/depot, track, rolling stock and systems.

The scope of the contract also includes the preparation of the environmental and social impact assessment and the preparation of the technical tender documents. The study will cover the northern alignment, approximately 21 km from the historic Al Ula Central Hijaz station to the Hegra site in the north. It will serve the main archaeological sites in the area and future tourist destinations undergoing restructuring or development. The study corridor includes the entire rail system right-of-way, mainly comprising the platform, 15 stations and the depot.

At the heart of the Saudi government's Vision 2030 plan, which aims to develop the Kingdom's cultural and tourism offering, the AlUla TramTrain project is part of a master plan to enhance an important cultural, agricultural and residential area characterised by architectural, historical and archaeological heritage, as well as environmental treasures.

With its experience in tramways, the SYSTRA Group will provide the Royal Commission with its expertise in the design and operation of a state-of-the-art tramway network, in order to better serve the Kingdom's ambitions by offering an innovative and sustainable mobility solution capable of meeting the needs of the city's inhabitants and visitors.

One of the main objectives of the tramway will be to "travel through time" by stopping at different stations to explore the historical areas and civilisations of the Kingdom, from the old city to the cultural oasis of Hegra, discovering Dadan, Jabal Ikmah and the Nabatean era. Landscaping and architecture are at the heart of this unprecedented project.

To develop the design studies for the AlUla tramway, SYSTRA is working with partners who are experts in their field, LABA, ARCHAÏOS, ELARD, RGF and ARCOS Engineering.

We are humbled to be working alongside the Royal Commission for AlUla to design a tram system which aligns with RCU’s vision and provides passengers with a unique and immersive experience, in the heart of this remarkable cultural and heritage destination, while taking into consideration innovation, environment, and RCU’s low carbon initiative. We look forward to mobilising our global expertise and local know-how and starting the journey with RCU.

SYSTRA has been working with Saudi Arabia since 1987 to create transport networks throughout the country, particularly in Riyadh, Jeddah, Medina and Mecca. Having been involved in major metro, rail freight, planning and transport consultancy projects, SYSTRA is now fully mobilised to meet the ambitions of the Saudi government's Vision 2030 development plan. We have recently won a contract for the Obhur multimodal bridge on the outskirts of Jeddah and several assignments for the NEOM new town project. All these commercial successes make SYSTRA a leading partner of the Saudi authorities in the field of mobility.

www.systra.com