Riyadh's Roads To Undergo Major Upgrades In A $3.46 Billion Project

The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) has awarded four contracts worth SR13 billion ($3.46 billion) to enhance the capital's transport network. This marks first phase of a program aimed at improving the main and ring roads in Riyadh.

The RCRC Board of Directors announced that this initiative aligns with Vision 2030, aiming to position Riyadh as a major hub for sustainable transportation and logistics in the Middle East. The commission also mentioned that contracts for subsequent phases will be revealed in due course.

The road development program is designed to make Riyadh one of the world's leading cities by enhancing its transport infrastructure. The first phase focuses on developing key road axes and linking them to provide efficient transport services.

Among the projects included in this phase is the construction of a second southern ring road. This road will stretch 56 kilometers from the new Al-Kharj Road in the east to Jeddah Road in the west. It will feature four lanes for the main road and three lanes for service roads in each direction, along with 10 main intersections and 32 bridges.

Another significant project involves building two bridges parallel to the Wadi Laban Suspension Bridge. This includes developing the intersection of the western ring road with Jeddah Road over a length of four kilometers, incorporating two new bridges alongside the existing suspension bridge and constructing four additional bridges at this intersection.

The western part of Al-Thumama Road Axis will also be developed, extending six kilometers from King Khalid Road in the west to King Fahd Road in the east. Additionally, there is a project to extend Taif Road in Laban neighborhood to Qiddiya, covering 16 kilometers from its western end to Qiddiya.

To ensure smooth traffic flow during these developments, RCRC has devised a traffic diversion plan in collaboration with relevant city authorities. This plan aims to minimize disruptions while construction is underway.

Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, who chairs RCRC's Board of Directors, announced the Riyadh Main Ring Roads Development Program. The first group of projects under this program has already commenced, focusing on over 500 kilometers of road network enhancements.

The implementation period for these initial projects is expected to range between three to four years. This timeline reflects RCRC's commitment to rapidly advancing Riyadh's infrastructure while maintaining high standards of efficiency and sustainability.

This comprehensive approach underscores Saudi Arabia's dedication to transforming its capital into a global city with state-of-the-art transport facilities, aligning with broader national goals set out in Vision 2030.