Saudi Arabia’s $22 billion Riyadh Metro project is likely to be completed by end of this year or early next year, the country’s leading newspaper Saudi Gazette wrote in a report.
The report quoted Riyadh mayor prince Faisal Bin Abdulaziz Bin Ayyaf as saying.
The mayor also added that the Riyadh Metro is considered as the largest infrastructure project to be implemented in an existing city, according to the report.
Touted as one of the largest public transport projects in the world, it comprises 176 kilometres long railway line that will be used to operate driverless electric trains.
Nearly 40% of the train route will be underground, which allows the continuation of the transportation movement in its natural form.
As per the information available, the Riyadh metro project, which involves around $22.5 billion investment, will consists of 6 lines with a total of 84 stations.
The report pointed out quoting the mayor that the metro would be contributing to solving the traffic problem, especially since 90% of the trips within the Saudi capital rely on cars.
“It’ll be providing an option that could solve the problem and save half of the time spent on the trips, will attract several people to depend on,” he said, adding that the central area of Riyadh will be focused on public parking, as it is the most congested area.
As per the report, Prince Faisal also revealed a new plan that is currently being worked on in Riyadh, “most prominent of which is vertical rather than horizontal expansion, then increasing the number of buildings.
In addition, there will also be a modern transport network and the development of more than a centre in Riyadh to guarantee the distribution of population densities and traffic trips through these centres, the report added.