Diriyah awards $311mn transport network building contract to Nesma

DGDA image
Representational image
By Arya M Nair, Official Reporter
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Diriyah Development Company (DevCo), a subsidiary of the Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA), has awarded a $311 million transportation works contract for the key Diriyah Interchange in Riyadh’s Western Ring Road (WRR) to Nesma & Partners, a leading Saudi Arabian contracting company.

The contract includes the demolition of two existing motorway bridges, the relocation of major public utilities, 1.5 million cubic meters of rock excavation, and the construction of a network of road tunnels, ramps, and a major bridge structure with 350 thousand cubic meters of concrete and 60 thousand tons of steel reinforcement.

The WRR will provide seamless traffic access and egress between all Diriyah Gate zones and the Saudi Arabian capital’s arterial motorway system. The tunnels will form part of a 2.1km long, one-way, 4-6 lane revolving road system underneath Diriyah Square, essentially a mega subterranean roundabout to facilitate intuitive, easy vehicle access and egress from Diriyah.

The major bridge deck spanning across the WRR will also support Heroes’ Park, an iconic public gathering space for people, central to Diriyah’s Masterplan. 

Jerry Inzerillo
Jerry Inzerillo
Group CEO – DGDA

“Our vision for Diriyah Square is a beautiful, pedestrianized mixed-use space that prioritizes walkability for locals and visitors. This forthcoming tunnel connection to the gigantic underground car park and the Heroes’ Park Deck is essential to realizing this vision. Its construction will create approximately 2,500 jobs, significantly contributing to the Kingdom’s goals for Vision 2030.”

DGDA was established in July 2017 with a mandate to transform the historic district of Diriyah into an iconic and world-class destination within Riyadh Province, reflecting and celebrating the rich history of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Diriyah Gate is a mixed-use complex part of the giga-project, with history and heritage assets at its core, enriched by entertainment, shopping, hospitality and residential elements. Diriyah and its UNESCO World Heritage Site of At-Turaif are known for its large Adobe structures, built in the Najdi architectural style native to the region.

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