Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA) said one of its subsidiaries, Diriyah Development Company (DevCo), has awarded a SR1.2-billion ($311 million) contract to a leading Saudi industrial and engineering company, Nesma & Partners, to construct a network of road tunnels, ramps and a major bridge deck that will form the principal Diriyah Interchange on Riyadh’s Western Ring Road (WRR).

 

The WRR will provide seamless traffic access and egress between all Diriyah Gate zones and the Saudi Arabian capital’s arterial motorway system, said the statement from DGDA.

 

The tunnels will form part of a 2.1-km long, one-way, 4-6 lane revolving road system underneath Diriyah Square, essentially a mega subterranean roundabout to facilitate intuitive, easy vehicle access and egress from Diriyah, it stated.

 

The major bridge deck spanning across the WRR will also support Heroes’ Park, an iconic public gathering space for people, central to Diriyah’s Masterplan, it added.

 

Diriyah Gate is a mixed-use part of the giga-project, with history and heritage assets at its core, enriched by entertainment, shopping, hospitality and residential elements. 

 

Diriyah and its Unesco World Heritage Site of At-Turaif, is known for its large Adobe structures, built in the Najdi architectural style native to the region.

 

Group CEO Jerry Inzerillo said: "Our vision for Diriyah Square is a beautiful, pedestrianised mixed-use space that prioritises walkability for locals and visitors. This forthcoming tunnel connection to the gigantic underground car park and the Heroes’ Park Deck is essential to realizing this vision. Its construction will create approximately 2,500 jobs, significantly contributing to the Kingdom’s goals for Vision 2030."

 

DGDA was established in July 2017 with a mandate to transform the historic district of Diriyah into an iconic and world class destination within Riyadh Province, reflecting and celebrating the rich history of Saudi Arabia.

 

The main elements of the contract works are the demolition of two existing motorway bridges, the relocation of major public utilities, 1.5 million cu m of rock excavation, the construction of a network of road tunnels, ramps and a major bridge structure, incorporating 350,000 cu m of concrete and 60 thousand tonnes of steel reinforcement, said the statement from DGDA.

 

At its peak, more than 1,800 people will be working on the construction site, it added.