The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) has tendered a project management contract for the $900 million Metro Line 7. The firm has invited bids for companies interested in the role and has allowed firms until March to submit their proposals. The latest development also follows contractors submitting bids on 31 January for a contract to design and build the project. The project involves constructing a metro line linking the Qiddiya entertainment city development and the King Abdullah International Gardens. It will also link the King Salman Park, Misk City and Diriyah Gate. The total length of the line will be about 65 kilometers (km), of which 47km will be underground and 19km will be elevated. The line will have 19 stations, 14 of which will be built underground and five above ground. Rail projects across the Middle East are picking up pace such as the Abu Dhabi-Dubai rail project being carried out by Etihad Rail.

Scope of Implementation on the Riyadh Metro Line 7

The Riyadh Metro Line 7 first phase will feature 6 lines with 84 stations. The RCRC completed the phased roll-out of the Riyadh Metro network when it started operating the Orange Line. Construction has also begun on the next phase of Riyadh Metro, the extension of Line 2. In July last year, RCRC awarded an estimated $800m to $900m contract for the project. Moreover, the contract was awarded to the Arriyadh New Mobility Consortium, led by Italy’s Webuild.

The group also includes India’s Larsen & Toubro, Saudi Arabia’s Nesma & Partners and France’s Alstom. Line 3, also known as the Orange Line, stretches from east to west, from Jeddah Road to the Second Eastern Ring Road, covering a total distance of 41km. The line spans 8.4km, of which 1.3km is elevated and 7.1km is underground. It also includes five stations – two elevated and three underground. It will run from the current terminus of Line 2 at King Saud University (KSU) and continue to new stations at areas such as KSU Medical City. Furthermore, it covers KSU West, Diriyah East and Diriyah Central. It will interchange with the planned Line 7 – before terminating at Diriyah South.

Project Factsheet

• Project Name: Riyadh Metro Line 7
• Project Type: Urban metro rail line (underground and elevated)
• Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• Client / Procuring Authority: Royal Commission for Riyadh City
• Estimated Project Value: $900 million

Project Overview

• New metro corridor connecting major cultural, entertainment and urban districts in Riyadh
• Designed to link Qiddiya, King Abdullah International Gardens, King Salman Park, Misk City and Diriyah Gate
• Part of the broader Riyadh Metro network expansion

Key Technical Aspects

• Total length: 65 km
• Underground section: 47 km
• Elevated section: 19 km
• Planned stations: 19 (14 underground, 5 elevated)

Project Scope

• Design, construction and integration of a new metro line within Riyadh’s transit network
• Interchange connectivity with existing and planned metro lines
• Supports urban mobility for key mega-developments and tourism hubs

Procurement Status

• Project management consultancy contract tendered by RCRC
• Separate design-and-build contract bids previously submitted
• Tender process ongoing with proposal submissions invited

Key Developers / Project Partners and Roles

• Royal Commission for Riyadh City – Project owner, client and procuring authority
• Webuild – Lead contractor within Arriyadh New Mobility Consortium for related metro works and network expansion
• Larsen & Toubro – Engineering and construction partner within the consortium
• Nesma & Partners – Local construction and contracting partner
• Alstom – Rail systems, rolling stock and transport technology partner

Strategic Importance

• Expands Riyadh Metro to serve new mega-developments and urban growth corridors
• Enhances connectivity between cultural, residential and