Riyadh traffic eases as road projects finish

Riyadh residents can expect some relief from traffic woes particularly during the peak hours, due to the completion of some major road and infrastructure projects.
The newly-built flyover near Exit 9 now provides motorists with an alternative route to Sahara Mall from the airport along King Abdulaziz Road.
“I was driving to the airport during the rush hour along Khurais Road so I took the flyover near Exit 9 instead which made my journey shorter,” said Moh’d Khalil, an engineer from Jordan.
The Sitten Road extension leading to the 500-meter tunnel near the Riyadh Airbase has also eased traffic on this route. The tunnel connects with Abu Bakr Assidiq Road, which runs from north to south. Along the road are exit routes going to Al-Kharj and other parts of the city.
“Previously, you had to go to Khurais Road to be able to drive toward Al-Kharj, some 80 km to the south,” said Nour Nobi from Bangladesh.
“The flyover has really eased the traffic movement on this road,” Nobi added.
Underneath the flyover, a plantation of green trees has virtually turned the place into a park frequently visited by residents in the late afternoon or at night, he said.
“It’s human for motorists to complain about the detours but after the work completion, they realize that the benefits rebound to them,” Nobi said.
Work on the King Abdullah Road has also reached completion with two underpasses near a five-star hotel and the King Saud University giving motorists welcome relief from the slow traffic flow.
Other residents also said that there are many projects which have been completed and are now contributing to faster vehicular movement along the major roads.
“Despite this, there is heavy traffic on the major routes during peak hours. It is still better to leave the house early in the morning to avoid being held up in the traffic,” advised Joe M. Pesig, an engineer.