Riyadh Gov. Prince Turki bin Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz held an unusual meeting of the High Commission for the Development of Riyadh on Thursday — it was 25 meters underground — to check on the progress of the Riyadh Metro. (SPA)

The multibillion-riyal metro project is 10 percent ahead of schedule, said Riyadh Gov. Prince Turki bin Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz here as he inspected progress in the capital city.

Prince Turki, who is also president of the High Commission for the Development of Riyadh (HCDR), and King Abdulaziz Public Transport supervisory committee, held the 11th meeting of the HCDR in a tunnel.

The tunnel is below what would become the Olaya station site, at a depth of 25 meters. Project officials briefed Prince Turki on the drilling that has already extended 218 meters east and west.

He had a close look at various aspects of the work including geological tests, and the use of sensors to monitor the thickness of the soil on the surface above the tunnel.

Officials also outlined the ventilation, lighting system and equipment to monitor the level of oxygen and gases inside the tunnel, to ensure that workers are safe underground.

Talking to the media, Prince Turki said: “Today we are proud of the achievements I have just seen, which are a tribute to the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.”

He added: “The work is great and unprecedented in the world, we should bear this in mind. We are determined to complete the project as soon as possible in accordance with the directives of King Abdullah.”

One of the world’s largest metro projects, this automatic driverless network will be over 170 km and have 87 stations on six lines, and is scheduled for completion in 2018.

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