Rail link between Neom’s Oxagon and The Line is a go: Saudi Arabia’s smart city Neom has awarded a USD 2 bn contract for a rail project linking its floating industrial complex Oxagon to renewable energy-powered The Line city, Arab News reports. The rail project was awarded to a joint venture of Italy's largest construction company Webuild and Saudi-based leading contractor Shibh Al-Jazira Contracting (Sajco).

What we know: The rail project will extend south from The Line to Neom City station, passing through Neom Bay Mansions and Neom Bay Airport, all the way to Oxagon, according to the news outlet. It will also see a 75-km railway line under an infrastructure corridor which will also include seven roads, nine rail underpasses, 14 viaducts, and earthworks. The project will also include a freight line and other related infrastructure maintenance facilities.

But first, a recap: Neom formally launched Oxagon as its integrated net-zero port and logistics hub powered entirely by clean energy. It is set to be home to several industries powered fully by renewables, including sustainable energy, autonomous mobility, water innovation, sustainable food production, health and well-being, technology, and digital manufacturing. Neom revealed plans last year for its landmark 170 km-long urban development The Line, based on a vision for “an environment [devoid of] roads, cars and emissions.”

And that’s not all, folks: Neom has reportedly asked selected contractors to submit proposals by 12 June for the building of tunnels as a railway link between the Neom Connector and high-speed rail line The Spine, the news outlet reports. They were also requested to submit bids for The Line’s cut-and-cover tunnel segments.

ALSO FROM NEOM- The megacity’s energy and water company Enowa signed a master agreement to potentially invest up to USD 6 mn to back necessary zero-waste water solutions developed by Penn State, according to a statement. The funding will be provided for up to 15 projects with five on water declination, rare earth minerals, and metals recovery from water and brine, and lowering water line strain and water loss. The zero-waste water research will be carried out by Penn State and tested later in the Enowa Water Innovation Center, the statement added.