Riyadh Expo Metro Station is moving into its delivery phase after the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) awarded its construction contract. The station will serve the Expo 2030 Riyadh site and strengthen public transport access to the northern part of the Saudi capital.
MEED reported the contract award on September 2, 2026, marking a significant procurement milestone for the wider Expo development. However, the value of the metro station contract has not been disclosed publicly. However, the station forms part of the wider $7.8 billion Expo 2030 Riyadh development.
The award also advances a transport component that Riyadh planned specifically around the future global event. Moreover, the station will sit on Line 4, also known as the Yellow Line. It will therefore connect the Expo site with Riyadh’s wider metro network.
Riyadh Expo Metro Station construction gains momentum
RCRC originally launched the design-and-build tender in February 2026. The procurement called for contractors to design and construct a new station within the Expo site boundary.
The tender initially carried a May 3 bid deadline. RCRC also required interested companies to submit qualification documents by February 26. By March, MEED reported that the authority expected to award the contract by June 30.
The latest award confirms that procurement has progressed beyond the tendering stage. However, publicly available information does not identify the winning contractor or disclose the contract value. Consequently, this distinction remains important because several companies already hold major Expo-related construction packages.
The station will provide direct access to the Expo development from Riyadh Metro Line 4. The Yellow Line connects the airport area with central Riyadh, creating an important passenger corridor.
Moreover, the location also supports international arrivals because the Expo site lies near the future King Salman International Airport. The dedicated station should therefore help integrate aviation and public transport infrastructure.
Riyadh Expo Metro Station supports a wider construction program
The metro award arrives as construction activity accelerates across the 6 million-square-meter Expo development. Expo 2030 Riyadh Company (ERC) leads delivery and long-term operation of the site.
Earlier infrastructure works have already established key foundations for the wider construction program. In January, ERC awarded Nesma & Partners an estimated SR1 billion ($267 million) infrastructure contract.
That package covers about 50 kilometers of roads and utility networks. The scope includes water, sewage, electrical, communications and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Additionally, ERC has progressed further infrastructure packages covering connections toward the central Expo area. This phased approach allows infrastructure delivery to advance alongside building procurement.
The site program also includes major exhibition buildings, pavilions, public spaces and supporting facilities. Buro Happold serves as lead design consultant for the detailed masterplan and infrastructure design.
Meanwhile, Bechtel serves as project management consultant for the Expo program. Its responsibilities cover infrastructure, early works, utilities, roads and public realm delivery.
The dedicated metro station therefore represents more than an event transport facility. It will become part of Riyadh’s permanent mobility infrastructure after Expo 2030 concludes.
Riyadh Expo Metro Station also adds to the capital’s growing portfolio of automated urban transport projects. The city is simultaneously advancing the Riyadh driverless monorail project at King Abdullah Financial District. Construction Review previously reported plans to launch the monorail within KAFD. The project includes a 3.6-kilometre elevated route with six stations.
The two projects demonstrate Riyadh’s expanding reliance on automated rail systems to support major developments. The KAFD monorail will provide internal connectivity across the financial district. Meanwhile, the Expo station will connect visitors directly with the wider Riyadh Metro network.
Expo 2030 Riyadh targets long-term urban legacy
Expo 2030 Riyadh will run from October 1, 2030, through March 31, 2031. Organizers expect more than 42 million visits during the six-month event.
The Expo site will feature approximately 230 pavilions across its planned districts. Moreover, the development will incorporate integrated transport, smart infrastructure and sustainable design principles.
After the event, ERC plans to transform the site into a global village. The legacy development will include housing, cultural spaces, entertainment venues and business districts.
Therefore, the metro station could continue serving residents, workers and visitors after the exhibition closes. Its integration into Line 4 also supports Riyadh’s broader strategy for public transport expansion.
The project reflects the Kingdom’s approach to building infrastructure that supports both immediate events and long-term urban growth. With construction activity accelerating across the Expo site, transport delivery now becomes increasingly important.
The station will also support the event’s objective of accommodating large visitor volumes without relying entirely on private vehicles. This approach should improve accessibility while strengthening Riyadh’s public transport network.
Also read: Saudi Landbridge Riyadh Section: $7bn Package Attracts CCECC, CHEC, Saipem as Contract Award Nears
Project Fact Sheet
Name: Riyadh Expo Metro Station
Wider development: Expo 2030 Riyadh
Type: Metro station construction
Location: North Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Metro network: Riyadh Metro
Metro line: Line 4, Yellow Line
Contract type: Design and build
Contract status: Awarded
Wider Expo project value: Approximately $7.8 billion
Client/authority: Royal Commission for Riyadh City
Expo developer: Expo 2030 Riyadh Company
Site area: Approximately 6 million square meters
Expected Expo visits: More than 42 million
Participating nations: Approximately 197
Expo operating period: October 1, 2030 to March 31, 2031
Strategic location: North Riyadh, near the future King Salman International Airport
Transport purpose: Direct metro access to the Expo 2030 site
Legacy purpose: Permanent integration into Riyadh’s urban transport network
Wider infrastructure: Roads, water, sewage, power, communications and EV charging
Initial infrastructure package: Approximately SR1bn ($267 million)
Initial infrastructure contractor: Nesma & Partners
Project Team
Client and transport authority: Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC)
Expo developer and operator: Expo 2030 Riyadh Company (ERC)
Project management consultant: Bechtel
Lead design consultant: Buro Happold
Initial infrastructure contractor: Nesma & Partners
Expo masterplan: Buro Happold
Expo program management: Bechtel
Leave a Reply