RIYADH — The Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA) hit a significant milestone Wednesday with the successful completion of the Western Ring Road diversion, which paves the way for all future progress on the giga-project.

After just 63 days of accelerated construction, the major development saw the DGDA relocate three kilometers of the eight-lane highway without a single road closure or disruption.

Jonathan Timms, president of Diriyah Development Company, said that “The completion of this critical project now enables the commencement of construction of the project’s complex underground tunnel network and parking basements, which will seamlessly redirect traffic underground, enabling the realization of Diriyah’s vision to be an authentic, pedestrianized, mud city in the historical Najdi style.”

“We are especially pleased with the speed at which this project was completed, whilst ensuring no disruption to the community. We congratulate our Riyadh-based construction partner Al-Omaier, who has proved to be the absolute right choice to deliver this time critical project.

“Upon completion, Diriyah will sit above an underground network of arterial roads and 25,000 parking spaces across three levels.”

It is expected that between 16,000 and 19,000 cars per hour will pass through the tunnel system.

DGDA’s Group CEO Jerry Inzerillo said that Diriyah was unique among giga-projects in that it was being constructed in a living, working community that already existed in the area.

“I am delighted to report the completion of the Western Ring Road diversion that supports our efforts in delivering upon our Diriyah vision which will be the largest cultural and heritage city,” he said. —SPA