Saudi Gazette report

Makkah — Travel time between Jeddah and Makkah will be reduced to only 35 minutes with the opening of a new 72-kilometer-long highway which is currently under construction, Ministry of Transport spokesman Turki Al-Toaimi told Makkah Arabic newspaper on Saturday.

The highway will start from the airport in Jeddah and end on the fourth ring road in Makkah.

The highway construction will be carried out in four stages. Budget allocations for the first three stages have already been made.

Expropriation of properties for the project is under way.

The first two stages are expected to be finished in one year if the expropriation process is completed on time.

The new highway will serve Umrah and Haj pilgrims, said Al-Toaimi.

The new highway will serve the districts in north Jeddah, Obhur, Al-Jawhara Stadium and King Abdullah Economic City.