Riyadh’s Prince Turki Bin Abdulaziz Road Project: Updated Bid Deadline & Vision 2030 Impact

Saudi Arabia’s Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) has recently extended the bid submission deadline for the major Prince Turki Bin Abdulaziz Road development project to 25 May 2025. This high-profile infrastructure scheme – often called the Rafia Corridor – is a centerpiece of Riyadh’s ongoing road network expansion. The project will improve traffic flow on one of Riyadh’s critical north–south arteries, relieve congestion on parallel routes like King Fahd Road, and support the city’s explosive growth. Announced as part of a second group of eight new road projects (with a total budget of over SAR 8 billion – roughly $2.1 billion), the Prince Turki Road works are closely aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 goals for transforming Riyadh into a world-class metropolis with world-class transport.

 The Prince Turki Bin Abdulaziz Road development project focuses on the middle section (the so-called “Rafia Corridor”) and includes key intersections at the north and south ends. Overall, the scheme encompasses about 6.8 kilometres of new roadworks, centered on upgrading existing interchanges and adding new connections. It will feature five bridges (about 5.4 km of bridge length in total) and five road underpasses, along with extensive retaining walls and drainage works. Utility upgrades include new stormwater, sewage and water networks along the route. This corridor will tie into the larger Prince Turki I Road axis, which RCRC is reshaping into a major city spine connecting Riyadh’s north and south ends.

Key Project Components:

• Sections and Interchanges: The work is divided into three segments – Mecca Al-Mukarramah Interchange (north), the Rafia Corridor (middle), and the Wadi Hanifah Interchange (south). These interchanges will be rebuilt and expanded to improve traffic flow.

• Bridges and Underpasses: Five new multi-span bridges totalling ~5.4 km will be built, plus five underpasses. These structures will smooth out crossings and eliminate bottlenecks on major cross streets.

• Auxiliary Works: Extensive landscaping, pedestrian sidewalks and street lighting will be included. New retaining walls will stabilize the roadway, and a full suite of utilities (storm drains, sewage, potable water) will be relocated or upgraded.

The project is being driven by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC), the Saudi government agency responsible for Riyadh’s urban development. RCRC – chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman – leads Riyadh’s infrastructure masterplan under Saudi Vision 2030. (RCRC effectively replaced the old Riyadh Municipality and Riyadh Development Authority.) The Prince Turki Road project is one of RCRC’s flagship road programs. In August 2024, RCRC kicked off eight other major road projects (first batch) and awarded SR 13 billion (about $3.46 billion) of contracts to local and international firms. These first-phase contracts are building parts of ring roads, arterial roads and key interchanges across Riyadh. The new Prince Turki Road tender is part of the second batch of that Main & Ring Roads development program.

Authorities and Stakeholders: The lead agency is RCRC, which plans, designs and manages the project. Riyadh’s highways and city roads also involve the Ministry of Transport and the Municipality of Riyadh, but RCRC has central coordination authority. The contracting will likely involve international and Saudi engineering–construction firms. RCRC has emphasized that the road projects integrate with ongoing urban schemes (Riyadh Metro, King Salman Park, Sports Boulevard, Green Riyadh, etc.) under the Vision 2030 agenda. The Crown Prince himself launched the road program, underscoring its strategic importance for Riyadh’s future.

Strategic Alignment (Vision 2030): The Prince Turki Road project is explicitly aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 and Riyadh’s strategic plan. It supports key Vision objectives by:

• Boosting Mobility: Expanding road capacity and reducing congestion as Riyadh’s population grows (Riyadh aims to accommodate 15+ million residents by 2030).

• Global City Transformation: Linking major commercial, residential and cultural areas to create a more cohesive urban structure. Upgraded interchanges and cleaner streetscapes will enhance Riyadh’s urban appeal and liveability.

• Support for Mega-Events: Improving transport infrastructure to handle anticipated spikes in traffic from global events (Riyadh won Expo 2030 and is preparing to host events like Asian Winter Games 2029 and FIFA 2034).

• Sustainable Growth: Facilitating greener and smarter traffic flow (with proper stormwater management and landscaping) as part of broader sustainability programs (e.g., the nearby Green Riyadh initiative to plant millions of trees).

Saudi planners view the road expansion as laying a foundation for Riyadh to rank among the world’s top cities in quality of life and logistics services. Indeed, RCRC states that Riyadh’s Main & Ring Roads Program is meant to “reinforce the capital’s transport system” and position it as a regional logistics hub, in line with Vision 2030’s goal of economic diversification and urban competitiveness. The upgraded Prince Turki corridor will work in tandem with the existing road network and the new Riyadh Metro, ensuring multi-modal access across the city.

Project Budget and Timeline: The Prince Turki Road contract is part of a program estimated at over SAR 8 billion (roughly $2.1 billion) for this second package of eight road projects. RCRC has signaled that these projects are expected to take around 3 years once on site. (By contrast, the first phase of road works signed in 2024 totaled SR 13 billion.) With the bid deadline extension to 25 May 2025, RCRC is likely ensuring strong contractor interest and high-quality proposals. The tender documents were first issued in mid-February 2025 with an original April closing date, now pushed back to accommodate the market. Upon award, construction on the Prince Turki middle section could begin in late 2025 or early 2026.

Key Facts and Figures:

• ~6.8 km of roadway improvements on the middle segment of Prince Turki I Road.

• Five new bridges (5.4 km total span) and five underpasses for smooth cross-traffic flow.

• Program budget >SR 8 billion (~$2 billion) for the second group of 8 road projects.

• RCRC’s first batch of road works (awarded Aug 2024) ~SR 13 billion (~$3.46 billion).

• Estimated daily capacity of each upgraded axis will be ~200,000 vehicles, illustrating major expansion goals.

• Riyadh’s Main & Ring Roads Program covers ~500 km of new roads and intersections (Parsons report).

Throughout planning and execution, RCRC emphasizes quality and efficiency. The commission has invited “capable engineering and construction firms” to bid through its supplier portal. As a condition, companies must be registered on RCRC’s approved vendor list and demonstrate experience in large-scale road projects. RCRC’s procurement policy often favors international–local joint ventures to mix global expertise with Saudi workforce participation (one of Vision 2030’s aims).

Delivery Partners (Confirmed): Industry sources confirm that Parsons Corporation (USA) has already been tapped as the Program Management Office (PMO) for Riyadh’s Main & Ring Roads Program. Parsons’ three-year $53 million contract covers oversight of all new major road projects, including Prince Turki Road, ensuring construction is coordinated and meets Riyadh’s development standards. No specific construction contractors have yet been announced for the Prince Turki package, but RCRC’s past awards suggest major players in Saudi construction (local conglomerates and global infrastructure firms) will be contenders.

In summary, the Prince Turki Bin Abdulaziz Road project is a pillar of Riyadh’s big-city makeover. The recently extended bidding deadline signals ongoing momentum, and when complete, the upgraded highway corridor will greatly expand Riyadh’s traffic capacity and connectivity. With RCRC at the helm and support from Vision 2030 leadership, this road project exemplifies Saudi Arabia’s push to deliver world-class infrastructure in the capital.

Confirmed Delivery Partners: Parsons Corporation (USA) – Program management contractor (Riyadh Main & Ring Roads Program)