Riyadh Metro Western Station construction has reached a major milestone after the Royal Commission for Riyadh City opened the final station on the Orange Line. The development completes the 22-station corridor built for Riyadh’s expanding driverless metro network. The station strengthens Saudi Arabia’s wider urban mobility strategy while supporting Vision 2030 goals for sustainable transport and reduced traffic congestion.
Located along Al Madinah Al Munawarah Road in western Riyadh, the station now operates as a large intermodal hub linking metro services, buses, parking facilities, retail areas, and public spaces. Moreover, the opening finalizes construction works on the Orange Line, which stretches roughly 41km across the Saudi capital.
The wider Riyadh Metro network covers 176km and ranks among the world’s largest automated public transport systems. The project cost stands at nearly $23 billion and includes six fully automated metro lines designed to transform mobility across the fast-growing city.
Riyadh Metro Western Station construction strengthens urban mobility
The newly completed station covers approximately 112,000 square meters. In addition, the facility combines an elevated metro platform, a bus terminal, underground parking for more than 600 vehicles, commercial outlets, a mosque, and a large public plaza.
Project designers also focused heavily on sustainability. The station follows LEED Gold certification standards and uses high-efficiency systems that reduce energy and water consumption. Furthermore, renewable energy contributed to lower environmental impact during construction activities.
Architecturally, the project reflects Saudi Arabia’s desert landscape. Designers shaped the structure around flowing horizontal forms inspired by sand dunes. Meanwhile, two large arches spanning 115m create shaded public areas while supporting the station’s monumental roof structure.
The station’s integration into the surrounding urban environment also formed a major design priority. Instead of dominating the skyline, the structure blends into the city through low-profile architectural elements and carefully designed pedestrian connections.
The Riyadh Metro Western Station completion also reinforces momentum in Saudi Arabia’s broader rail transformation, where major milestones continue to emerge across the Kingdom. In Makkah, the Saudi Government has tendered the Mecca Metro design project highlighting strong progress in one of the region’s most ambitious transit systems. The progress highlights how large-scale metro infrastructure is being successfully executed in dense urban environments, offering practical benchmarks for station design, passenger flow management, and system integration.
In this context, the Mecca Metro design initiative builds on the same national strategy, translating proven metro delivery experience into a pilgrimage-focused network aimed at easing congestion and improving mobility across Makkah’s critical transport corridors.
Riyadh Metro Western Station construction completes Orange Line delivery
The Orange Line serves as the backbone of Riyadh’s metro system and remains the city’s longest driverless rail corridor. The line now operates fully after years of phased openings across the network.
Saudi authorities expect the completed metro system to ease heavy road congestion while improving air quality throughout Riyadh. Additionally, the network supports long-term urban expansion as the capital’s population continues growing rapidly.
The Riyadh Metro already includes several landmark stations, including the Qasr Al Hokm Downtown Station. That facility features a striking inverted stainless-steel cone and acts as one of the system’s key interchange hubs.
Meanwhile, construction activity around the metro network continues. Earlier this year, authorities awarded a new contract for the Red Line extension project valued at $2.75 billion. The expansion includes 8.4km of additional metro infrastructure and five new stations.
The Riyadh Metro project continues attracting international attention because of its scale, automation systems, and integration into Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification agenda. The project also highlights growing investment in sustainable infrastructure across the Gulf region.
The completion of Riyadh Metro Western Station also reflects Saudi Arabia’s wider ambition to modernize transport infrastructure through landmark mobility projects. Similarly, the country is accelerating development of futuristic rail systems under Vision 2030, including the high-speed transit network planned for NEOM. The latest metro milestone comes as Saudi Arabia advances construction on “The Spine,” the ultra-fast rail corridor designed to connect linear urban districts across the NEOM megacity.
Project Fact Sheet
Project: Riyadh Metro Western Station
Overall Riyadh Metro project value: Approximately $23 billion
Location: Western Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Metro line: Orange Line (Line 3)
Total metro network length: 176km
Orange Line length: Approximately 41km
Number of stations on Orange Line: 22
Station size: Approximately 112,000 square meters
Parking capacity: More than 600 underground parking spaces
Main facilities:
- Elevated metro station
- Bus terminal
- Retail outlets
- Mosque
- Public square
- Underground parking
Sustainability certification: LEED Gold
Key design feature:
- Two arches spanning up to 115m
- Desert dune-inspired architecture
Transport system type: Fully automated driverless metro
Client: Royal Commission for Riyadh City
Strategic objective:
- Reduce congestion
- Improve urban mobility
- Support Vision 2030 sustainability goals
Project Team
Project owner: Royal Commission for Riyadh City
Main contractor: Webuild
Delivery consortium: ArRiyadh New Mobility Consortium
Architectural and engineering contributors:
Metro systems scope:
- Driverless rail infrastructure
- Intermodal transport integration
- Sustainable station development
Future expansion partners on Red Line extension:
Saudi government oversight: Saudi Vision 2030 transport and urban development programme
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