SAUDI ARABIA —Mass transit infrastructure in Saudi Arabia is expanding as the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) advances major network additions. SYSTRA has been awarded the Project Management and Construction Management (PMCM) consultancy for the extension of the Riyadh Metro’s Red Line. The contract is executed through the Riyadh Metro Transit Consultants (RMTC) Joint Venture, which is led by Parsons and includes Egis alongside SYSTRA.
The JV will deliver comprehensive management and supervision services spanning the design, implementation, commissioning, and start of operations. The extension project adds 5.4 kilometres and eight new stations to the existing line. Over 85% of the new section will be constructed underground using twin-tube bored tunnels, with the remaining portions comprising viaduct structures. The expansion's primary alignment objectives include connecting Diriyah - home to the UNESCO World Heritage site of At-Turaif, to the citywide public transport network and enhancing accessibility for students and staff at King Saud University.
This award builds on the RMTC joint venture's foundational role in the capital's transit system, having been originally entrusted in 2013 with managing three of the six original Riyadh Metro lines (Blue, Red, and Orange), which represent over 65% of the overall metro programme. Project teams will leverage advanced digital tools such as PMIS and OpenSpace to ensure rigorous monitoring, enhanced data transparency, and seamless technical integration between the legacy Red Line and its new subterranean extension.
