Riyadh Gov. Prince Turki bin Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz presides at the seventh meeting of the follow-up committee of the metro project in Riyadh on Thursday. (SPA)

Riyadh motorists will face traffic snarls during the next two months because of the construction work of the metro project which will commence shortly, said Riyadh Gov. Prince Turki bin Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz.

Speaking to newsmen following the seventh meeting of the follow-up committee of the metro project, the governor solicited the cooperation of the members of the public during this period of excavation work of the metro project.

The Riyadh Metro Project, valued at $22 billion, consists of six metro rail lines to be constructed within five years. It is a part of the Riyadh Public Transport Project (RPTP), which is a rapid transit system under construction in Riyadh.

The RPTP is the largest public transport project, comprising construction of a metro, a bus system and other transport services in Riyadh. Construction of the Riyadh Metro started in April this year and is expected to be completed by 2018.

The metro project is owned and operated by the Arriyadh Development Authority (ADA). The project will have an execution period of five years and an optional maintenance service period for the next 10 years. It is expected to create about 15,000 jobs.

The governor said some schools and government facilities could be affected due to the proposed construction work.

He said the ADA has made arrangement with the Riyadh Traffic Department to ease the anticipated traffic jams.

To assist the motorists, the authorities will shortly announce the non-peak hours so that they can adjust the movements of traffic in the city. The Traffic Department would also suggest alternative routes during peak hours.

Riyadh had a population of 5.7 million in 2012, which is expected to increase to 8 million by 2030. The Riyadh metro will be 178 km long with six lines and 85 stations, including underground and elevated sections.

 
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