Two contracting groups have been shortlisted for the SR3.75bn ($1bn) Finance Ministry contract to build a monorail at Princess Noura bint Abdulrahman University for Women in Riyadh.

The two groups are Saudi Binladin Group with Japan's Mitsubishi Corporation and the local Al-Arrab Contracting Company (ACC) with Malaysia's Scomi Engineering. The contractors expect an award by the end of July.

The other bidders are Saudi Oger with Canada's Bombardier and the local El-Seif Engineering & Contracting with Germany's Siemens.

The contract involves building an 11 kilometre-long monorail network elevated 10 meters above the ground, which will link the facilities at the university.

Beirut-based Dar al-Handasah (Shair & Partners) is the consultant on the project, which should take three years to complete.

(Sourced from MEED)