Saudi Arabia's $500 billion gigabit project NEOM has awarded two contracts to a group of companies to build two 28km-long tunnels dedicated to high-speed transport and freight services as part of the smart linear city TheLine. The two joint venture groups will undertake the transportation project, which is separated by the upper and lower areas.

NEOM said in a statement that the two joint venture groups will undertake the project, which is divided by the upper and lower regions. The first contract is awarded to FCC Construction/China State Construction Engineering Corporation/Shibh Al-Jazira Contracting Company Joint Venture; while the second contract is a joint venture between Samsung C&T Corporation/Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd./Saudi Archirodon Corporation.

Tunnels will make the movement of people and goods faster, safer and easier. Rock excavated as part of the tunnelling works will be treated for reuse in the tunnel's permanent concrete lining and other projects within NEOM to ensure minimal impact on the natural landscape.

Commenting on the contract, NEOM CEO Nadhmi Al-Nasr said today marks another important milestone for NEOM. The sheer scope and scale of the tunnelling works to be undertaken underscore the complexity and ambition of the project. We are moving forward to realize NEOM's vision for a new future as laid out by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Chairman of the Board of Directors of NEOM Corporation. At NEOM, we are inspiring a new way of life that enables seamless mobility, reduces emissions and protects our environment. Not only are we making a giant leap for Saudi Arabia, but we are also building a model for sustainable living around the world. Keywords: engineering construction, engineering news

In March 2022, NEOM established a new subsidiary to develop sustainable energy and water systems, and in April 2022, AcwaPower announced that it had won a $900 million EPC contract for NEOM's green hydrogen project. In May 2022, NEOM and Saudi Arabian Airlines unveiled plans to launch weekly air services to international destinations.Editor/XingWentao