A giant tunnel-boring machine (TBM) for the Riyadh metro was launched in Riyadh recently.

Launching the TMB at a meeting here, Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar said it would speed up the metro work.

Seven TMBs have been manufactured especially for the project, and will create tunnels of 35 km in length at a depth of 30 meters.

He also honored winners of a competition, which was organized by the Higher Committee to Develop Riyadh, to choose a name for each of the giant TBM machines. The contest was meant to familiarize Riyadh residents with the project’s equipment and plans.

Over 66,000 people entered and came up with over 420,000 names. Prince Faisal gave the seven winners their prizes at the gathering.

A member of the Higher Committee to Develop Riyadh and president of the project and planning center, Ibrahim A. Al-Hammad, said the committee held its 14th meeting to discuss various aspects of the project.

Construction is taking place at several important locations including the stations in Al-Olaya, Qasr Al-Hakam, King Abdullah Financial Center, and at King Khalid International Airport.

He said work has started on parking lots, infrastructure and concrete rings for drilling machines and bridges. The work taking place on the routes of the rapid bus system that will operate alongside the metro, across several major areas in the city.

The 178km-long Riyadh metro will have six lines and 85 stations including underground, elevated and at-grade sections. The Blue Line will run from Olaya Street to Al-Hayer Road. It will be 44 km and cover 39 stations.

The Green Line will connect King Abdullah Road to King Fahad Stadium. It will have 14 stations and be 22 km. The Red Line will run from Madina Al-Munawara to Rahman Al-Awal Road. It will be the longest line of the metro, at 45 km.

The Orange Line will run from King Khaled International Airport to the new King Abdullah Financial District. The Yellow Line will start from King Abdul Aziz Road. It will be 26 km and have 26 stations.

The Purple Line will connect Abdul Rahman bin Ouf Street to the Shaikh Hassan bin Hussain bin Ali Street. It will be 30 km and feature nine stations.

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