Riyadh Activates Thumamah Road Traffic Diversion

Motorists in northeastern Riyadh face new traffic arrangements after the Royal Commission for Riyadh City activated a traffic diversion on the eastern section of Al-Thumamah Road, as development works advance along the city's northeastern corridors. The diversion at the Thumamah–Al-Sahabah intersection took effect from 12 September 2026.

The 8 km eastern section is being upgraded to handle more than 200,000 vehicles three tunnels, and four major intersections at Airport Road, Saeed bin Zaid Road, Sheikh Hassan bin Hussein bin Ali Road, and Al-Sahabah Road. At the Thumamah–Al-Sahabah intersection, work covers a new bridge and tunnel, carried out while keeping traffic moving.

The active diversion redirects traffic to the parallel road north of Al-Thumamah Road, offering three lanes in each direction plus a service lane so adjacent buildings keep their access during construction. Marked alternative routes and directional signage are in place to organize movement and improve safety for road users.

The works form part of the Riyadh Main and Ring Road Axes Development Program, an SR 8 billion multi-phase plan covering the eastern, middle, and western sections of Thumamah Road. In the middle corridor, upgrades at the Thumamah–Othman Bin Affan intersection include an 850 m tunnel and four flyovers totaling about 2,000 m, with temporary detours scheduled to begin on 16 April 2026. Othman Bin Affan Road is being converted into a free-flow corridor with three lanes in each direction, while Al-Thumamah Road is reinforced as a primary east–west mobility axis supported by two-lane service roads.

For residents, the changes mean smoother long-term traffic flow across busy northeastern routes, though drivers should plan for detours during construction. No fees, tolls, or user charges apply to the diversions, which operate as standard public roads within the city network as of mid-September 2026.

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