According to the new traffic arrangement, Sitteen Street (Salahuddin Ayyubi) is one-way southward from the Gulf Bridge, while Pepsi Cola Road (Al-Ahsa Road) has also been made one-way heading north. Jarir Street and Arbaeen Street are also one-way streets heading east of the capital.

Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar informed residents and motorists in the Malaz district of the new arrangements and sought their cooperation in ensuring the smooth flow of traffic.

On Sunday, motorists who were unaware of the arrangements found it difficult to cope with the new traffic system. On Jarir Street, near the Sri Lankan International School, eyewitnesses reported three minor accidents.

“It came as a shock to a few motorists, who wanted to rush to their workplaces in the morning,” Mohammed Nasser, from a leading electrical company, said, adding that initially he did not know where he was going and finally he landed at the place where he started the car. Subsequently, he said he reached his firm at Al-Ahsa Road following proper directions given by the ushers on the road, who gave the right directions.

Authorities have given proper directions and there are ushers on the roads to guide one to the right places, he noted.

Imtiaz Sultan, who was unaware of the detours, took 45 minutes to reach his destination which otherwise would have taken just 10 minutes.

Farhen Aboosally said that he took University Street from Malaz and reached the Diplomatic Quarter without any problems. “Of course, there was traffic congestion due to desperate drivers who were taken by surprise,” Aboosalih said, pointing out that it is sad that some motorists are unaware of the “uniflow” traffic system which is completely new to them.

As the Metro project started in early 2014, some roads on Olaya Street, Takkassusi and Dhabbab streets also followed a uniflow traffic system so workers can continue their construction work.

The $22.5 billion Riyadh Metro project will be completed within four years, a senior official said. Construction began a year ago but has accelerated in the last few weeks, with road closures, digging equipment and hard-hatted workers taking over the city’s business core, to the frustration of drivers facing detours and lane closures.