Saudi Arabia Invests USD 800 Million in Riyadh Road Expansion

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is dedicating SAR 3 billion (USD 799 million) to the expansion and maintenance of Riyadh's road infrastructure, spanning approximately 15,000 km throughout the region. This extensive investment in the road network aims to facilitate seamless movement and reinforce the Kingdom’s objective of establishing itself as a global logistics hub.

The Roads General Authority (RGA) has already completed 23 road projects across Riyadh, focusing on improving traffic flow and safety. Among these projects are 20 preventive maintenance initiatives, covering 215 km and valued at SAR 170 million (USD 45 million), along with three projects designed to enhance traffic safety, costing more than SAR 171 million (USD 45 million). The RGA is also undertaking 18 additional projects, covering 516 km, valued at SAR 1.5 billion (USD 400 million). Additionally, 48 preventive maintenance projects covering 2,500 km have been budgeted at SAR 1 billion (USD 266 million), with another traffic safety project valued at SAR 125 million (USD 33 million).

As the road sector supports key economic areas such as industry, tourism, trade, logistics, and religious pilgrimages, including Hajj and Umrah, Saudi Arabia currently ranks first globally in the road connectivity index. The RGA leverages advanced technologies in project execution, maintaining the world’s largest fleet of artificial intelligence-based road maintenance equipment and employing specialized personnel to ensure efficient operations.

Each road project follows stringent quality and safety standards, with goals that include reducing road fatalities to fewer than five per 100,000 people and achieving a sixth-place global ranking in road quality. The RGA prioritizes traffic safety measures based on the International Road Assessment Program (IRAP), aiming to integrate safety features throughout the road network.