A monumental leap in Saudi Vision 2030, transforming urban mobility through world-class engineering and global collaboration.
₹5k – ₹10k Contract Value (Cr)
8.4 KM Corridor Length
5 New Metro Stations
Engineering Mastery in Mass Transit
Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has secured a significant international contract for the extension of the Riyadh Metro’s Red Line. Awarded by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, this project is a crucial element of Saudi Vision 2030, aiming to transform urban mobility in Saudi Arabia’s capital.
The extension comprises an 8.4-kilometer corridor with 1.3 kilometers of elevated viaducts and 7.1 kilometers of deep underground tunnels. Five new stations—three underground and two elevated—will connect King Saud University to the Diriyah Gate Development, boosting tourism and economic activity.
Image 1: Active construction site showcasing the heavy machinery and tunnel preparation for the Red Line extension.
L&T operates as part of an international consortium led by Italy’s Webuild S.p.A. (30.1%), including Nesma & Partners, Alstom, and IDOM. L&T’s role leverages its profound expertise in heavy civil infrastructure and tunneling, with a projected completion timeline of six years.
Consortium Partners
- 1 Webuild S.p.A (Italy)Lead Partner (30.1% share) – Civil Construction
- 2 Larsen & Toubro (India)Heavy Civil Infrastructure & Tunneling Expert
- 3 Nesma & Partners (Saudi)Regional Civil Construction & Logistics
- 4 Alstom (France)Rolling Stock and Digital Signaling Systems
A Grand Vision for Urban Transformation
The world’s largest driverless metro network, redefining the future of Riyadh.
Massive Infrastructure Scale
Spanning 176 kilometers with 85 integrated stations, the Riyadh Metro project is a marvel of single-phase execution. Designed to move up to 3.6 million passengers daily, it utilizes 338 standardized train cars across 6 lines.
176 km Total Track
85 Stations
338 Train Cars
$22.5B Project Cost
Phased Activation
Dec 1, 2024
Lines 1, 4, and 6 commenced – Dec 15, 2024
Lines 2 and 5 scheduled – Jan 5, 2025
Line 3 activation
The Future of Commute
Iconic architecture, such as the Zaha Hadid designed KAFD station, reflects Riyadh’s modern aspirations. The metro system is expected to cut daily car trips by 250,000, drastically reducing carbon emissions.
Engineering Resilience:
Overcoming the Impossible
TBM In Operation
Geological Complexity
Fractured limestone, high groundwater tables, and shoreline sand with soluble salts create a volatile environment for deep tunneling.
Urban Integration
Navigating construction in densely populated areas while preserving historical sites like Diriyah requires precision traffic and utility management.
Environmental Factors
Extreme 50°C summer heat and regular sandstorms demand robust filtration systems and unique emergency egress designs.
Consortium Synergy
Managing five international firms and multiple government bodies requires world-class communication and safety protocols.
Saudi Vision 2030:
Pioneering the Future
The Riyadh Metro is central to a national transformation plan. Saudi Arabia is investing approximately $500 billion in smart city projects and IoT infrastructure, aiming for an urban population of 97.6% by 2030.
Digital Connectivity: 90% 5G Coverage
Smart Mobility: AI-driven “SAHIR” systems
Energy: Virtual power plants & Smart Grids
Flagship Giga-Projects
NEOM
AI-Powered Megacity
Qiddiya City
Entertainment Hub
Red Sea
Sustainable Tourism
Roshn
PIF Smart Cities
A glimpse into the green, technologically advanced urban future of Saudi Arabia.
Engineering Excellence Beyond Borders
L&T’s expanding global footprint in mass transit infrastructure includes the Riyadh Metro and the US$120.7 million Jakarta MRT Phase 2A extension in Indonesia. These projects showcase Indian engineering prowess in executing intricate rapid transit systems worldwide.
Global
Presence
Top Tier
Engineering
Paving the Way
As the Riyadh Metro system rolls out, the Red Line extension stands as a testament to international collaboration. It is not just a railway; it is the pulse of a city evolving into a more connected, sustainable, and technologically advanced future.
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