Artist image of the Riyadh Metro

Riyadh’s residents have been complaining about heavy traffic during peak hours, but many are upbeat about the prospect of good results once major road projects are completed.

“Traffic snarls and missed appointments are normal due to road construction projects, but the benefits will far outweigh the inconveniences once these are complete,” said Eric P. Asi, a senior engineer at Nardeen Lighting.

He added that the local government, through the Arriyadh Development Authority (ADA), is doing its best to make travel for city residents convenient.

“Residents in the Saudi capital should do their share by engaging in little acts of sacrifices and be tolerant of the inconveniences for the benefit of the majority later on,” he said.

Asi said that he is one of numerous city residents who drops his two children at Suleimania and his wife, who teaches at Exit 9, and then drives to the Second Industrial Area to report for work.

Mohammed Doughan, a Syrian working in public relations, added that traveling will be more convenient once the road projects are completed, including the Riyadh Metro.

“If you find driving a hassle during peak hours these days, you won’t a few years down the line,” he said.

He added that completion of work along Sitteen Street will solve bumper-to-bumper traffic during peak hours in major arteries, like the Airport and Olaya roads.

He also said that city residents will use the Riyadh Metro to commute once the project is complete.

“They will drive their cars to the Riyadh Metro station and leave them there. They then take the metro to go to work,” he said.

Joe M. Pesig, also an engineer at Light Technologies, added that the air will be cleaner thanks to fewer cars on the roads and the new metro.

“This is because there are will be fewer cars, which pollute the environment and the air we breathe. We can say that the metro is not only for us, but also for our children,” he said.

He added that “the sacrifices we have made are insignificant compared to the benefits we and the future generations will enjoy once the projects are completed.”

 
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