Transport Minister Jabara Al-Seraisry on Sunday signed contracts worth SR5.6 billion to implement 68 new road projects in various parts of the Kingdom.

“These new projects have been approved by the current fiscal budget,” the minister told reporters after signing the contracts.

“We had invited tenders from national companies soon after the declaration of the budget in order to implement the projects this year,” Al-Seraisry said.

He said new contracts would be awarded shortly to carry out remaining projects approved by this year’s budget.

“We are determined to implement all road projects following international standards and within specific periods,” he said.

Al-Seraisry had signed number of road projects worth SR2.47 billion a few months ago, bringing the total amount of road contracts signed this year to SR8.06 billion.

He awarded 55 new road projects worth SR2.04 billion last June for improving transport services in the country's 13 regions.

Of these projects, Makkah region received seven projects valued at SR153 million, including the second phase of the Jeddah-Makkah Expressway and completion of the Ring Road in Taif.

The projects in the Madinah region include the second phase of the Madinah-Al-Ula-Tabuk Expressway. Madinah has got five projects valued at SR114 million.
The Riyadh region has won 12 projects worth SR919 million including the construction of an intersection between Khorais Road and Sheikh Jaber Al-Sabah Road at a cost of SR514 million. Binladin Group won the intersection contract.