Three groups are preparing to submit proposals for an estimated SR20bn ($5bn) contract to develop and operate the Asir-Jizan highway project.

Saudi Arabia’s Roads General Authority, the National Centre for Privatisation & PPP and the Aseer Development Authority (Asda) have set a new deadline of 31 May for firms to submit bids.

MEED understands the tender was issued in September last year, with bid submission previously due in March 2026.

According to sources close to the project, the consortiums that are planning to bid include:

• Shaanxi Construction Engineering / Safari / Lamar Holding (China/local/local)
• Makyol / Shibh Aljazira Contracting / Tamasuk (Turkiye/local/local)
• China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) / Vision Invest (China/local)
• Alayuni / Limak Holding / Nesma & Partners / Plenary (local/Turkiye/South Korea/local/Australia)

In August last year, five groups were qualified to bid for the contract. However, the consortium comprising Turkiye’s IC Ictas and local firm Algihaz Holding has decided not to pursue the project. South Korea’s Samsung C&T, previously part of the Plenary group, has also withdrawn.

The 136-kilometre Asir-Jizan highway will have three lanes in each direction and include six intersections, 57 bridges totalling 18km and 11 tunnels totalling 9km.

The project is one of four planned highway schemes in the kingdom’s privatisation and public-private partnership pipeline.

The route begins in Al-Farah in Asir and extends to the Red Sea through Jizan.

The 30-year contract will follow a design, build, finance, operate and maintain model.