JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah Co. has awarded a SR4.22 billion ($1.13 billion) construction contract to relocate King Saud University’s utilities and administration offices, advancing infrastructure development in one of the Kingdom’s flagship urban projects.
The project was given to a joint venture between China Railway Construction Corp.’s Saudi branch and China Railway Construction Group Central Plain Construction Co., according to a press release.
Part of the Public Investment Fund’s giga-project portfolio, the Diriyah development is a 14 sq. km mixed-use district poised to house nearly 100,000 residents and provide office space for tens of thousands of professionals across the technology, media, arts, and education sectors.
Once complete, it is expected to generate 178,000 jobs, attract nearly 50 million annual visitors, and contribute SR70 billion to Saudi Arabia’s gross domestic product.
Jerry Inzerillo, group CEO of Diriyah Co., said: “We are delighted to announce this major contract to support King Saud University, whose campus adjoins the Diriyah development area.”
He emphasized that the agreement represents a significant step in furthering efforts to enhance both educational and infrastructural excellence in the Kingdom.
“We are proud to support one of the Kingdom’s leading academic institutions in delivering enhanced infrastructure services that will benefit both its students and the broader university community,” Inzerillo said.
The contract includes the design and construction of several critical infrastructure components. These include a district cooling plant, water storage facilities, and a sewage treatment plant, as well as an LPG/SNG plant and a diesel pumping station.
The scope also covers a utility tunnel, irrigation tanks, office buildings, warehouses, and maintenance workshops.
Li Chongyang, chairman of China Railway Construction International Group, said the project reflects the firm’s commitment to delivering world-class infrastructure to the highest standards.
“We look forward to contributing to the success of this iconic project and supporting the continued growth of King Saud University,” he said.
This latest award brings the total value of contracts issued by Diriyah Co. in 2025 to over $2.9 billion, as the area undergoes rapid transformation into a global destination aligned with Vision 2030.
