Road projects in Saudi Arabia: 37 projects completed and fatalities reduced by 60%
In a move reflecting the Kingdom's commitment to achieving the goals of Vision 2030, the General Authority for Roads announced the completion of 37 new road projects across Saudi Arabia at a total cost of SAR 3.86 billion last year. These significant efforts have resulted in a remarkable 60% reduction in traffic fatalities, as part of the Authority's ongoing commitment to enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of the infrastructure. The Authority explained that the total length of the completed projects exceeds 2,093 kilometers of track, adding to a vast national network that extends over 73,000 kilometers outside urban areas. Currently, work is underway on more than 90 additional projects with a total length exceeding SAR 8 billion and a combined length of 4,804 kilometers of track.
Historical development of the transport sector and road projects in Saudi Arabia
Historically, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has prioritized infrastructure development since its first five-year development plans. The wise leadership recognized that roads are the vital arteries that fuel economic and social development and connect the Kingdom's vast regions. With the launch of Saudi Vision 2030, road projects in Saudi Arabia a new strategic dimension, focusing not only on quantitative expansion but also on high quality, traffic safety, and environmental sustainability. The National Transport and Logistics Strategy aims to solidify the Kingdom's position as a global logistics hub connecting the three continents, requiring a sophisticated road network built to international standards to support the growing trade and tourism sectors.
Economic and logistical impact locally and regionally
These development projects are of paramount importance and have a far-reaching impact on several levels. Locally, these networks contribute to alleviating traffic congestion, reducing daily travel times, and improving the quality of life for citizens and residents across the country. Regionally and internationally, strengthening border road infrastructure plays a pivotal role. For example, the construction of the security barrier on the road leading to the Rub' al Khali border crossing with the Sultanate of Oman, at a cost of 155 million riyals, enhances the efficiency of trade and logistics connectivity among the GCC countries and facilitates international land transport, thereby boosting trade volume and supporting the national economy's integration with global markets.
Tangible progress in performance and safety indicators
The authority confirmed that the Saudi road network continued to make significant progress in performance and quality indicators. The percentage of roads rated three stars or higher according to the International Road Assessment Programme (IRAP) rose to 81.48%, exceeding the annual target. This engineering improvement and traffic safety programs directly contributed to a 60% reduction in traffic fatalities. The authority also achieved progress in pavement quality, increasing the percentage of roads with a pavement condition rating exceeding 80 points (PCR), thus reducing congestion and improving traffic flow between cities.
Eastern Province projects: The largest share of support for industry
The Eastern Province has emerged as one of the regions that has benefited most from the Authority's projects, driven by its economic importance and strategic location linking ports and industrial centers. The value of completed and ongoing projects there has reached over 1.213 billion riyals, encompassing eight major projects totaling 422 kilometers in length, in addition to 12 preventative maintenance projects valued at 732.6 million riyals. Among the most prominent of these projects are the completion of the Safwa/Rahima road at a cost of 434.2 million riyals, the completion of the Al-Ahsa/Buqayq/Dhahran intersections, and the Abu Hadriyah intersection. The work also included the dual carriageway construction in Qatif and Al-Ahsa, and the implementation of an integrated intersection on the Buqayq road to support commercial transport.
Technological transformation and environmental innovation
The sector has witnessed a remarkable acceleration in the adoption of modern technologies, with the Authority launching the first heavy traffic load simulator in the Middle East to study road durability. In terms of environmental sustainability, the Authority expanded the application of rubber road technology using recycled materials, achieving a 33% growth rate, and expanded road cooling projects in the Holy Sites by 82%. Most importantly, the Authority successfully repurposed approximately 22 million tons of construction and demolition waste annually in asphalt mixes, positioning the Kingdom as a global leader in integrating the circular economy into its infrastructure.
Advanced performance indicators and enhancement of local content
The Authority recorded 4.8 million safe working hours, with an implementation compliance rate of 95.5%. On the regulatory front, the Authority developed seven new pieces of legislation and documented 45 regulatory policies. Regarding economic sustainability, the local content ratio in the Authority's projects increased to 56.57%, and non-oil revenues jumped by 1018% compared to the previous year, confirming the Authority's success in developing its resources and building a safe and sustainable national road network that supports comprehensive economic growth.
