The Miracle of the Desert: a $7 billion megaproject with which Saudi Arabia is building the ‘Land Bridge’

Saudi Arabia is building one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in the Middle East — the so-called “Land Bridge,” also dubbed the “Desert Miracle.”

This high-speed rail line will connect the Red Sea port city of Jeddah with Dammam on the Arabian Gulf, cutting across the capital, Riyadh. Once completed, the train will slash travel time between Riyadh and Jeddah to under four hours — a dramatic improvement from the current 12-hour drive.

The project is poised to revolutionize transportation across the Kingdom and reshape commercial ties throughout the Arabian Peninsula, according to Saudi daily Okaz. The railway will stretch roughly 930 miles (1,500 kilometers), linking the country’s major population and industrial centers.

At the heart of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 — the Kingdom’s sweeping plan to diversify its economy beyond oil — the Land Bridge is a cornerstone initiative.

It will expand the national rail network from 3,300 miles to more than 5,000 miles, positioning Saudi Arabia as a key logistics and transportation hub for the Gulf and broader Arab world.

Expansion plans on the fast track

The Saudi Railway Company (SAR) is overseeing the development of the new station network that will anchor the route across the Kingdom.

The line will connect King Abdullah Port with major industrial cities like Yanbu. As part of its modernization push, SAR has ordered 15 new trains capable of reaching speeds up to 125 mph (200 km/h).

Adding to the Kingdom’s rail ambitions is the soon-to-launch “Dream of the Desert” — a luxury train experience that will take passengers on a scenic 800-mile (1,290-kilometer) journey from Riyadh to Qurayyat, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s natural landscapes in style.

The Kingdom is also investing in hydrogen-powered trains as part of its broader push toward clean energy and sustainable transportation. According to Gulf News, more than 2.6 million passengers traveled by train in Saudi Arabia during the second quarter of this year alone — a clear sign of growing enthusiasm for rail travel.

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