Tunnels, bridges, flyovers set to change the face of Riyadh

Traffic on several roads in Riyadh is being re-routed to make way for the construction of tunnels, bridges and flyovers.
“Many residents who seldom go out and drive around the city find themselves lost, as the roads they are familiar with have been re-routed,” Steve Portes, a civil engineer at a local consulting firm, said.
Construction is currently going on in various parts of the city, including Sitteen Street and Exit 9, some of Riyadh’s busiest roads.
However, traffic flow has been smooth on major roads during peak hours, thanks to the completion of several road projects.
“The massive development taking place is part of the government’s comprehensive plan for Riyadh,” said Eric P. Asi, an engineer at a local firm.
One major project that is now open is the 500-meter tunnel near the Riyadh Airbase. The tunnel connects with Abu Bakr Assidiq Road, which serves more than 560 vehicles per day. Running from north to south, the tunnel will be linked to Salahuddin Al-Ayoubi Road in the south. It also has a flyover that crosses King Abdullah Road.
Another project is the Al-Orouba Road, which runs from east to west and connects with Abdurrahman Al-Ghafiqi Street in the east.
Access and exit ramps have also been provided to connect off-site road networks with the primary road network. A traffic management system will be supporting these roads using “variable message” signs.
Storm water and ground water pipes have been set up on both sides of the road to ensure the proper drainage of water through gravity. Three tunnels have also been constructed along King Abdullah Road, easing traffic flow on Olaya Road during peak hours.
“High-rise buildings of all shapes and designs in various parts of the city have significantly contributed to development, particularly along King Fahd Road. Also situated along this road is the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), which has greatly altered the Riyadh skyline,” said Meynard Pesig, who also works as an engineer at a local company. The sprawling KADF boasts numerous tall buildings.
Economic growth is evident from the fact that the Brookings Institution’s Global MetroMonitor reported that Riyadh posted the second highest growth rate in the world in 2011, with Jeddah ranking third.
Their performance was superseded only by Shanghai’s economic engine, which saw its income rise nearly 10 percent during the 2010-2011 period. Riyadh posted a 7.8-percent rise in income and a 6.3-percent growth rate in employment to emerge as the second fastest growing metropolis in the world.
Jeddah also fared well, registering a 7-percent rise in income and a 5.5-percent rise in employment to claim a distinguished third place.
Riyadh, which previously ranked 17th in the survey, catapulted to the top five partially because of growth in local markets, business and finance and manufacturing according to The Brooking Institution, which monitors the progress of 200 of the largest cities across the world.
Demographically, Riyadh is considered one of the fastest growing cities in the world. Its population is estimated at 5.1 million, including expatriates, and is projected to exceed 11.1 million by 2020.