Saudi upgrades 4,000 kilometres of roads for Hajj pilgrimage

The General Authority for Roads in Saudi Arabia has recently announced the completion of extensive preparations on Mecca roads ahead of the upcoming Hajj season, 1445 AH. These preparations are vital to ensuring a safe and seamless pilgrimage experience for millions of pilgrims expected to visit Mecca.

The roads leading to Mecca hold immense significance during the Hajj season, as they serve as the primary transportation routes for pilgrims travelling to the holy city. Ensuring the smooth operation of these roads is essential to facilitating the pilgrimage and accommodating the large influx of pilgrims.

The General Authority for Roads in Saudi Arabia has undertaken extensive preparations to enhance the condition and accessibility of Mecca roads ahead of the Hajj season. These preparations involved surveying and upgrading approximately 4,000 kilometres of roadways to ensure a comfortable and hassle-free experience for pilgrims.

The roadworks included a range of improvements to enhance safety and convenience for pilgrims. This included scraping and re-asphalting 158 kilometres of roads, addressing cracks and potholes at 403 sites, trimming road shoulders across 2,361 kilometres, removing sand dunes covering 1,240 cubic meters and cleaning valley streams at 421 locations.

Saudi Arabia's road network is crucial in facilitating pilgrim travel during the Hajj season. Recognized by the World Bank as the first in global road network interconnection, Saudi Arabia's road infrastructure ensures seamless connectivity between the holy sites and facilitates safe and efficient pilgrimage.

To further ensure the readiness of Mecca's roads, Eng. Bader Al Dalami, Acting CEO of the General Authority for Roads, conducted an inspection tour covering over 2,000 kilometres of roads leading to key religious sites. This tour aimed to assess the condition of the roads and address any remaining issues before the start of the Hajj season.

During the inspection tour, Al Dalami reviewed key routes essential for pilgrim travel, including the Riyadh-Taif highway, which links the capital with Taif and the Taif Al-Sail road, crucial for pilgrim transportation during Hajj. The Taif-Khurma-Rania-Bisha road, a major artery serving several governorates in Mecca, was also reviewed to ensure optimal conditions for pilgrim travel.