Riyadh Launches Massive Road Development Plan, Begins Property Expropriation Process

Dubai ∙ The Royal Commission for Riyadh City has officially launched property expropriation procedures to facilitate a major infrastructure initiative under the “Road Axes Development Program”, a multi-billion-riyal project aimed at transforming the capital’s ring and arterial road network.

In an announcement shared on X (formerly Twitter), the Commission confirmed that the expropriation affects several key areas, including:

• The Second Eastern Ring Road Project
• The Al Thumama Road Corridor Project
• The Prince Mishaal bin Abdulaziz Road Project
• Areas surrounding the Wadi Laban suspension bridge, where twin bridges will be constructed
• The Western Ring Road–Jeddah Road interchange

Property owners in the affected zones are requested to submit relevant documentation electronically to initiate the compensation process. For assistance, a unified contact number — 8001240800 — has been made available.

SAR 13 Billion Phase 1 Rollout

The expropriation announcement comes following the Commission’s board approval of “Group One”, the first phase of the Road Axes Development Program. This phase will see four major contracts awarded, with a combined value exceeding SAR 13 billion (USD 3.5 billion). Additional phases are expected to follow with further contract announcements in the coming months.

Key Projects Under Group One:

• Second Southern Ring Road:
  A 56-kilometer expressway connecting Al Kharj Road in the east to Jeddah Road in the west. The corridor will feature four main lanes and three service lanes in each direction, with 10 major intersections and 32 bridges.
• Wadi Laban Twin Bridges and Western Junction Redevelopment:
  The construction of two parallel bridges beside the Wadi Laban suspension bridge and a redevelopment of the Western Ring Road–Jeddah Road interchange, spanning four kilometers and four new bridges.
• Al Thumama Road Upgrade:
  A six-kilometer upgrade of the western stretch of Al Thumama Road, running from King Khalid Road to King Fahd Road, enhancing traffic flow in a key business and residential area.
• Taif Road Extension:
  A 16-kilometer extension of Taif Road in the Laban district, connecting the city’s western edge to the Qiddiya project, one of Saudi Arabia’s major Vision 2030 entertainment and tourism hubs.

The Road Axes Development Program represents one of Riyadh’s most ambitious infrastructure efforts to date, and aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals of urban transformation, mobility enhancement, and economic diversification.