A land bridge project that will link the western and eastern parts of Saudi Arabia could see total costs reach as much as USD$26 billion, once all factors are accounted for, the Kingdom’s Minister of Transport and Logistics has warned.

Speaking during an interview with Rotana Khalejia, Saleh Al Jasser said that the land bridge project is considered to be the most important project in Saudi Arabia, and that it would be a ‘quantum leap’ for the logistics sector once completed.

“We have been working with an international coalition led by a Chinese company and including national companies for two years,” stated the minister, during the interview, according to a report by Arab News.

“A complete project plan was drawn up; cost and locations were determined. It will include 7 logistic centres and raise the level of the existing road from Riyadh to the Eastern Province,” he added, pointing out that the final costs would include infrastructure and trains.

Al Jasser added that the contracts for the project would be signed within a year, with implementation likely to take between five and seven years.