Despite nine companies seeking to prequalify for the contract, five were excluded from consideration. The design and consultancy work is expected to be completed within a year, after which tenders for the construction phase will be issued. Public Authority for Roads & Transportation Vice-President Haifa Al-Jarallah noted that the tender process has been expedited following discussions between Kuwait’s Minister of Public Works, Dr. Noura Al-Mashaan, and Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport and Logistics Services, Mr. Saleh Al-Jasser. These meetings also explored the feasibility of a new rail line connecting Kuwait City to Riyadh. Al-Jarallah emphasized that appointing a design consultant marks the first phase of the railway project. The second phase will involve presenting the project to potential investors and selecting an investment partner, while the third phase will focus on implementation, anticipated to take about 30 months.