The General Authority for Roads announced its operational and technical readiness for the holy month of Ramadan, having completed a comprehensive package of maintenance and preparation work on the road network leading to the holy sites and the Two Holy Mosques. This step comes as part of ongoing efforts to enhance infrastructure efficiency and facilitate the movement of pilgrims and visitors, ensuring a safe and comfortable travel experience.
Field survey and comprehensive road maintenance
As part of early preparations, the authority conducted a comprehensive survey of a road network exceeding 16,000 kilometers in length in the Makkah and Madinah regions, in addition to the roads connecting them. These efforts resulted in the resurfacing of more than 1,100 kilometers of roads, directly contributing to improved traffic flow for buses and vehicles, reduced travel time, and a decrease in traffic congestion that may occur during peak hours in the holy month.
Enhancing traffic safety standards
The Authority has given considerable attention to road safety, with technical teams installing and maintaining approximately 58,900 linear meters of wire fencing to prevent stray animals from entering the road right-of-way, thus reducing the risk of sudden accidents. The work also included the installation and maintenance of over 59,500 linear meters of concrete and metal barriers, and the updating of directional and warning signs to ensure clear guidance for pilgrims day and night.
Infrastructure to meet climate challenges
To ensure the continuity of traffic flow in all weather conditions, the authority has completed maintenance on 8,600 culverts designed to drain rainwater and floodwater. This step is essential to protect roads from water accumulation that could impede traffic or damage the asphalt, reflecting meticulous engineering planning to address potential climatic variations throughout the different seasons.
Strategic context and ambitious vision
These projects are of particular importance in light of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to increase the capacity to receive pilgrims and reach 30 million Umrah performers annually. The road network plays a pivotal role in achieving this goal, as it is the main artery for transporting pilgrims between entry points and the holy sites. The Authority operates according to the standards of the International Road Assessment Programme (IRAP), aiming to reduce fatalities to less than 5 per 100,000 people and to achieve sixth place globally in the road quality index.
National staff and engineering supervision
To ensure high-quality execution and rapid response, the Authority has deployed a fully integrated field team of 300 engineers and quality control supervisors, working around the clock to monitor performance, identify any issues, and address them immediately. This human and technical preparedness underscores the Kingdom's unwavering commitment to providing the best possible services to pilgrims and harnessing all available resources to ensure they can perform their rituals with ease and peace of mind.
