Riyadh's Jeddah Road Upgrade Brings Traffic Diversions

Traffic diversions on Riyadh's Jeddah Road continued this week as development work advanced on the 29 km upgrade led by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, part of the Main and Ring Road Axes Development Program. The diversions began on 2 August 2026 and affect sections near the intersections with Prince Bandar bin Abdulaziz Road, Prince Turki bin Abdulaziz Al Awwal Road, and Prince Turki bin Abdulaziz Al Thani Road.

Under the first temporary diversion, the westbound ramp from Jeddah Road to the Najm Al-Din Al-Ayoubi intersection is closed, with traffic rerouted via local roads north of Jeddah Road. Four lanes in each direction remain open through the diversion to keep traffic flowing.

The wider project will widen Jeddah Road to five main lanes in each direction and build 14 bridges, with a design capacity of roughly 350,000 vehicles Phase 1 focuses on the Najm Al-Din Al-Ayoubi interchange, including two main bridges and two U-turn bridges serving both directions. A separate package covers four bridges at the intersection of the Western Ring Road with Jeddah Road, with a total bridge length of about 990 metres and four traffic lanes each way on that section.

Why it matters

The upgrade is part of broader transport improvements aimed at easing access to Qiddiya and western Riyadh, adding lanes and improving interchanges along a heavily used corridor. Motorists should expect changing routes as work progresses.

A comprehensive traffic management plan has been put in place, with coordinated diversions and route maps showing open, temporary, and closed sections. Updated diversion maps are shared through official digital channels, and drivers can call the unified number 19998 for inquiries about temporary routes and closures. No fees or tolls are indicated for using Jeddah Road or its diversions.

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