The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) has officially awarded the contract for the extension of the Riyadh Metro Red Line (Line 2) to a high-profile international consortium led by Webuild. This $2.8 billion project is a cornerstone of Riyadh’s strategy to connect modern urban centers with the Kingdom’s most significant historical landmarks.
Project Partners
The Webuild-led consortium brings together global engineering leaders:
Webuild (Italy) – Lead Partner
L&T (India)
NESMA (Saudi Arabia)
ALSTOM (France)
Technical Specifications
The extension will add 8.4 kilometers to the existing Red Line, primarily through underground infrastructure to minimize surface disruption:
Total Length: 8.4 km
Tunneling: 7.1 km (to be excavated using a Tunnel Boring Machine)
Elevated Section: 1.3 km on viaducts
Stations: 5 new stations (3 underground, 2 elevated)
Technology: Fully driverless, automated signaling systems
Strategic Connectivity: Linking Education and Heritage
The extension is designed to serve as a vital transit link for several major Riyadh hubs:
King Saud University (KSU): Adds two new stations to serve the main campus, the Medical City, and health colleges.
Diriyah Gate: Connects the metro network to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Diriyah. This area is undergoing a massive transformation into a cultural and tourism destination that preserves its traditional Najd architectural roots.
Future Interchange: One of the new Diriyah stations is planned to serve as a future connection point for Line 7.
Note: This project is part of Riyadh’s world-record-holding 176 km driverless metro network, which successfully launched its six-line system in late 2024.
Project Impact at a Glance
| Metric | Target / Detail |
| Total Contract Value | ~$2.8 Billion |
| Travel Time (STC to Diriyah) | < 15 minutes |
| Traffic Reduction | ~150,000 vehicles per day |
| Estimated Completion | ~6 years |
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