Marine works crucial to the development of a major resort in the Red Sea have moved a step closer with the awarding of a construction contract to Archirodon.

The marine infrastructure specialists have been appointed by The Red Sea Development Company to build a 3.3km (2.05 miles) crossing between the island of Shurayrah and the mainland, to enable the development of The Red Sea Project: a proposed 28,000sq km (17,400sq m) destination that the developer describes as one of the world's most ambitious tourism projects.

WATG and Buro Happold are leading the project.

A phased construction will see Archirodon construct the crossing, two coastal jetties and four island jetties by November 2020. The next milestone is the end of 2022, by which time 14 luxury hotels with more than 3,000 rooms will have been built over five islands and two inland resorts. There will also be a marina, entertainment facilities, and an airport.

By 2030, the destination is expected to be fully completed, with the masterplan, calling for 22 of the 90-plus islands at the site being developed, with 10,000 hotel rooms across island resorts, mountain retreats and desert hideaways.

The destination will also have luxury residential properties, and a range of commercial, retail and recreational facilities.

The project is expected to create 70,000 new jobs and contribute US$5.3bn (€4.79bn, £4.36bn) to the GDP of Saudi Arabia through creating investment opportunities for the private sector and developing the Kingdom's tourism industry.