The Royal Commission for Riyadh City has begun implementing a program to develop the ring roads and major thoroughfares in Riyadh and has awarded contracts for four projects, including “Phase 1” of the program at a cost exceeding 13 billion riyals, with the awarding of contracts for subsequent phases of the program to be announced in the near future, God willing.
Objectives of the Ring Road and Major Road Development Program
This program aims to develop ring roads and main roads, strengthen the city’s transportation system, enhance connectivity between its various parts, and position it as a major hub for sustainable transportation and logistics services in the Middle East, and elevate the capital to the leading position it deserves as one of the world’s major cities, in line with the objectives of the “Saudi Vision 2030” programs.
Projects in the First Phase of Development
The “First Phase” projects of this program include the following roads:
— The Second Southern Ring Road project, 56 kilometers long, extending from the New Al-Kharj Road in the east to the Jeddah Road in the west, comprising four lanes on the main road in each direction and three lanes on the service road in each direction, The project also includes the construction of 10 major intersections and 32 bridges.
— A project to construct two bridges parallel to the suspension bridge (Wadi Luban Bridge) and to develop the intersection of the Western Ring Road with Jeddah Road, spanning four kilometers. This includes the construction of two bridges parallel to the existing (suspension) bridge, and the construction of four bridges at the intersection of the Western Ring Road and Jeddah Road.
— A project to develop the western section of the Thumama Road Corridor, spanning six kilometers, extending from King Khalid Road in the west to King Fahd Road in the east.
— The project to extend Taif Road in the Luban neighborhood to the Qiddiya Project, 16 kilometers long, extending from the western end of Taif Road in the Luban neighborhood eastward to the Qiddiya Project.
Traffic Flow
Out of a commitment by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City to ensure the smoothest possible traffic flow on the roads where these projects will be carried out, a plan has been developed to manage traffic diversions on these roads, in partnership with the relevant city authorities
It should be noted that the “Program for the Development of Major Ring Roads in Riyadh,” whose launch was announced in 1441 AH by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City—may God protect him— and the implementation of its first set of projects has begun. It involves the construction and development of more than 500 kilometers of the city’s road network by adding new roads, upgrading existing major arteries, and enhancing their interconnectivity.
Keeping pace with the growing population
The program will contribute to a number of major benefits for the city of Riyadh, its residents, and its visitors, most notably: Catering to the city’s growing population and major development projects, guiding its urban development, meeting its current and future mobility needs, strengthening connections between its various areas, and facilitating traffic flow, increasing average travel speeds and reducing travel times on the city’s road network; accommodating through traffic via the arterial road network; and facilitating access to areas where major projects are being implemented, in addition to improving the quality of life in the city, strengthening its economic, urban, environmental, cultural, and tourism standing, and enhancing its competitiveness as a preferred destination for investment and a global hub for attracting businesses and visitors, The implementation period for the first phase of the program is expected to range from 3 to 4 years from the start of implementation, God willing.
