RIYADH, 17 September — Communications Minister Dr. Nasir Al-Salloum has said that the road toll proposed by his ministry would be five halalas per kilometer for highways.
Speaking to reporters after signing new road contracts here on Sunday, the minister said the toll would be restricted to new highways, which will have alternative roads.
The operation of the new roads will be brought under the private sector following the BOT system, he said, adding that part of the revenue collected through toll will be used for road maintenance.
Salloum said a special committee has been set up to implement the Kingdom’s long-awaited railway expansion project.
“It will conduct engineering, technical and financial studies for the project,” he added.
The Kingdom has invited the private sector to construct the railways, but authorities are still evaluating options to award the projects, with the build-operate-transfer (BOT) being favored. Several foreign and local firms are bidding for the projects to expand the Saudi railways.
Saudi Arabia is the only country in the Arabian Peninsula with a railway. At the moment, there is only one active route between the capital and Dammam.
