Riyadh is advancing efforts to strengthen connectivity across its expanding road network with the opening of the new Thumamah Road bridge, which is poised to enhance traffic movement along a major corridor linking the capital’s eastern and western districts.
Riyadh Upgrades a Major Intersection
The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) opened the bridge to traffic at 6 a.m. on Friday, following the completion of construction at the intersection with Prince Mohammed bin Salman Road.
The project kicked off on April 1, 2026, after the demolition of the former bridge, and reached completion after around six months.
The upgraded crossing forms part of the broader push to boost road infrastructure and improve movement through key intersections across Riyadh.
What Made the Project So Complex?
The bridge’s construction brought a significant logistical challenge, requiring major structural work in a congested area with limited space beside Riyadh Metro pillars.
Construction teams had to lift and install structural components weighing more than 3,200 tonnes above Prince Mohammed bin Salman Road, coordinating the complex operation while motorists continued to pass around the site.
Despite the complexity of the construction work, the project was completed without any reported injuries or accidents. Measures were also put in place to limit disruption to motorists throughout the construction period.
What Makes This Bridge More Efficient?
Spanning approximately 400 meters long and 20 meters wide, the new bridge features six main traffic lanes, with three in each direction, as well as four service lanes designed to accommodate local traffic.
The bridge is expected to improve connections to the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) and key road links, while providing more efficient access to nearby residential and commercial areas.
Its service lanes play a pivotal role in the design by separating traffic passing through the corridor from vehicles travelling to local destinations.
This arrangement seeks to reduce congestion and improve the overall efficiency of the intersection.
Riyadh Expands Its Road Network
The opening of the bridge marks another remarkable milestone in the wider transformation of Thumamah Road, a 24-kilometer corridor linking Sheikh Jaber Al-Sabah Road in the east with King Khalid Road in the west.
The redevelopment spans 17 bridges, 10 tunnels and three intersections, with construction continuing at the junction with King Abdulaziz Road and at other locations along the corridor.
Together, these projects are designed to enhance the infrastructure supporting movement across this part of Riyadh.
The construction is part of the capital’s broader Road Development Program, which encompasses more than 22 projects across four groups and seeks to upgrade over 500 kilometers of roads.
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