Riyadh traffic diverted for Arab economic summit

The traffic department in Riyadh announced it has provided alternative routes for commuters and motorists who use the three main roads in the capital, for the duration of the third Arab leaders summit taking place this week.
“In anticipation of the heavy traffic concurrent with hosting the Third Arab Economic and Social Development Summit that will kick off here on Monday, the traffic management has put an alternative plan for the three vital roads in the capital, namely, King Fahd Road, Khurais, and Makkah Highway starting from tomorrow until Tuesday,” according to a statement by the Riyadh traffic control department.
Maj. Gen. Abdul Aziz Abu Heimid, director of the Riyadh traffic department, said patrol police will be present on the roadsides to guide commuters to the alternative routes in case of any emergency. Traffic signals have also been programmed according to site congestion and to allow pedestrians more time to walk among the high density of cars.
Abu Heimid has requested citizens and residents to use the designated routes in order to facilitate commuting by citizens and avoid traffic congestion.
Lt. Col. Hasan Hassan, head of the command and control center and spokesman of the Riyadh traffic department, stressed the need to follow the instructions published in all media outlets regarding the notification that King Fahd Road, Khurais and Makkah roads will be used to receive state guests. He also referred to the alternative routes like Takhasussi, Olaya, King Abdul Aziz, Turkish and University Avenue, Al-Washim Street and King Abdullah Road via Imam Saud bin Abdul Aziz.
Al-Hassan added: “All ring roads, including the north, south and east will be operating at full capacity and can serve as alternative roads.” The spokesman said the Riyadh traffic department has been sending out text messages as well as awareness broadcasts through the media to ensure that the message reaches the largest segment of the population in the capital.
Furthermore, the traffic department has said it will not allow any excesses or irregularities to impede the traffic flow and called on citizens to comply with traffic regulations. It also stressed the need to monitor adolescents during this period and ensure they do not go to drifting sites or cause needless crowding in commercial centers.