$900 Million Riyadh Metro Line 7 Bids Open as RCRC Advances Mega Transit Expansion

Riyadh Metro Line 7 bids move forward as theRoyal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) opens commercial proposals for the estimated $900 million project. Consequently, this milestone signals strong progress in expanding Riyadh’s rapid transit network. Moreover, the authority continues to accelerate procurement while aligning the project with Saudi Arabia’s broader urban mobility strategy.

Furthermore, contractors submitted commercial bids on January 31, prompting RCRC to initiate post-tender clarifications soon after. As a result, the project has entered a critical evaluation phase. Meanwhile, stakeholders expect contract award decisions once technical and financial assessments conclude.

In addition, the Riyadh Metro Line 7 corridor will link major developments across the city. Specifically, it will connect Qiddiya Entertainment City, King Abdullah International Gardens, King Salman Park, Misk City, and Diriyah Gate. Therefore, the line strengthens integration between leisure, residential, and cultural destinations.

Riyadh Metro Line 7 bids attract global consortia

Notably, Riyadh Metro Line 7 bids have drawn strong international competition from leading engineering and construction firms. Consequently, four major consortia have submitted proposals for the design-and-build contract.

Firstly, the consortium led by Alstom, Webuild, Nesma, and China Harbour Engineering Company offers combined rail and civil expertise. Secondly, Siemens partners with FCC, Orascom Construction, and Shibh Al-Jazira Contracting Company to deliver integrated systems.

Additionally, Hitachi Rail collaborates with Larsen & Toubro, Albawani, Kalyon, and Cengiz, forming a technically diverse team. Meanwhile, CRRC joins forces with Mapa and Limak to complete the competitive field. Therefore, the bidding landscape reflects global confidence in Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure pipeline.

Riyadh Metro Line 7 bids support network expansion

Importantly, Riyadh Metro Line 7 bids align with the next phase of the city’s transport expansion. The new line will span approximately 65 kilometers, including 47 kilometers underground and 19 kilometers elevated.

Moreover, the route will include 19 stations, with 14 underground and five elevated. As a result, planners aim to balance urban density with efficient land use. Consequently, the project enhances connectivity between the airport corridor and western growth zones such as Qiddiya.

At the same time, the development complements the existing six-line Riyadh Metro network, which already spans over 170 kilometers. Therefore, Line 7 strengthens multimodal integration and supports long-term mobility demand.

Project momentum builds alongside consultancy tenders

Meanwhile, RCRC has also tendered a project management consultancy contract for the scheme. Therefore, the authority ensures robust oversight during construction delivery.

In parallel, the metro expansion follows recent milestones, including the phased rollout of the existing network and new extensions. Consequently, Riyadh continues to position itself as a global benchmark for large-scale transit infrastructure delivery.

Overall, Riyadh Metro Line 7 bids demonstrate sustained investor confidence and technical competition. As evaluation advances, the project moves closer to contract award and construction mobilization.

Moreover, the Riyadh Metro Line 7 project builds on the success of the broader Riyadh Metro Project, which already spans over 176 kilometers across six lines and 85 stations, forming the backbone of the Kingdom’s public transport system. The multi-billion-dollar network aims to reduce congestion, cut emissions, and support sustainable urban mobility. Therefore, Line 7 represents a strategic extension that enhances connectivity to emerging districts while reinforcing Riyadh’s long-term transport vision.

Project Fact Sheet

Project Name: Riyadh Metro Line 7

Client: Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC)

Estimated Cost: $900 million

Project Type: Urban rail (automated metro)

Scope: Design and construction

Route Length: Approximately 65 km

Underground: 47 km

Elevated: 19 km

Stations: 19 total

Underground stations: 14

Elevated stations: 5

Key Connections:

Qiddiya Entertainment City

King Abdullah International Gardens

King Salman Park

Misk City

Diriyah Gate

Procurement Status (2026):

Commercial bids opened

Post-tender clarification ongoing

Key Milestone Dates:

Bid submission: January 31, 2026

Evaluation phase: Ongoing

Project Team

Client / Developer: Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC)

Bidding Consortia:

Consortium 1:

Alstom (France) – Rail systems and rolling stock

Webuild (Italy) – Civil construction lead

Nesma & Partners (Saudi Arabia) – Local contractor

China Harbour Engineering Company (China) – Infrastructure delivery

Design Consultants:

AECOM

TYPSA

Ayesa

Consortium 2:

Siemens (Germany) – Rail systems and electrification

FCC (Spain) – Civil works

Orascom Construction (Egypt) – Engineering and construction

Shibh Al-Jazira Contracting Company (Saudi Arabia) – Local execution

Design Consultants:

Idom

Dowha Engineering

Consortium 3:

Hitachi Rail (Japan) – Rail systems integration

Larsen & Toubro (India) – Engineering and EPC delivery

Albawani (Saudi Arabia) – Local contractor

Kalyon (Türkiye) – Infrastructure specialist

Cengiz (Türkiye) – Heavy civil works

Design Consultants:

Sener

Jacobs

Consortium 4:

CRRC (China) – Rolling stock and rail systems

Mapa (Türkiye) – Construction

Limak (Türkiye) – Infrastructure delivery

Project-Level / Independent Consultants:

Egis

Dar Al-Handasah

Consultancy (Under Procurement): Project Management Consultancy (PMC) – Tender stage