New Lanes Open on Makkah's Third Ring Road

Motorists in Makkah now have new lanes to use after additional sections of the Third Ring Road and Prince Saud Al Faisal Road were opened to traffic on September 26, 2026. The Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites announced the openings, which aim to ease congestion across key routes in the city.

On the Third Ring Road, a new 1.5-kilometre stretch has opened from the Prince Mutib intersection to the Grand Mosque intersection, passing through the Prince Sultan intersection. Meanwhile, the remaining section of Prince Saud Al Faisal Road is now open for traffic, running from the Prince Mohammed bin Salman axis to Abdulqadir Koshak Street via the Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz intersection.

travel times on the affected routes have been reduced by more than 90%, offering a significant improvement for daily commuters and for those heading toward the Grand Mosque area.

What it means for residents

The new lanes are expected to smooth traffic flow across some of Makkah's busiest corridors, benefiting residents, workers, and visitors alike. No road-use fees or tolls were announced, and drivers do not need any permits or special procedures to use the new sections.

The improvements come as part of ongoing efforts to upgrade Makkah's road network and support smoother movement throughout the city, particularly around the Grand Mosque.

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