Webuild-Led Consortium Wins Riyadh Metro Extension Contract

Webuild leads consortium to extend Riyadh Metro’s Red Line by 8.4 km, adding five stations and connecting key hubs, supporting the city’s sustainable transit goals.

January 22, 2026 1:39 am

🛑 Key Takeaways:

Riyadh has awarded a contract to a Webuild-led consortium to extend the Metro’s Red Line by 8.4 km.
The project includes five new stations, 7.1 km of tunnel, and 1.3 km of elevated track, with a six-year completion schedule.
This extension connects King Saud University to the Diriyah Gate development, supporting a network that has already served over 173 million passengers since late 2024.

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) has awarded a contract to a consortium led by Italy’s Webuild to design and build an 8.4 km extension of the Riyadh Metro’s automated Red Line. The consortium also includes India’s L&T, local Saudi firm Nesma, and France’s Alstom. The project is scheduled for completion in approximately six years.

Category	Specification / Detail
Project / Model	Riyadh Metro Red Line Extension
Value / Budget	Not specified in announcement
Key Stakeholders	Royal Commission for Riyadh City (Client), Webuild (Lead), L&T, Nesma, Alstom (Contractors)
Total Length	8.4 km
Infrastructure	7.1 km tunnel, 1.3 km elevated line
New Stations	5 (3 underground, 2 elevated)
Timeline	Approx. 6 years to completion

Operational & Technical Details

The project will add five new stations to the Red Line. Two stations will be located within King Saud University, serving its medical city and central campus. Three other stations will be built in Diriyah. One of the Diriyah stations is designed as a future interchange with the planned Line 7. The construction involves a significant tunneling component of 7.1 km, complemented by 1.3 km of elevated structure. This new section will integrate into the existing 176 km, six-line automated metro system, which began operations in late 2024.

Market Impact Analysis

This contract award strengthens the Webuild-led consortium’s footprint in Saudi Arabia’s large-scale infrastructure program. The extension is a direct response to high public transport demand, evidenced by the RCRC’s report of over 173 million passengers since the network’s launch. The project directly links key educational and cultural hubs, including King Saud University and the major Diriyah Gate tourism development. This expansion further solidifies the Riyadh Metro’s position as the world’s longest automated public transport network and aligns with the city’s goals for a sustainable urban transit ecosystem.

FAQ: Quick Facts

What is the main value of this contract?

The financial value of the contract was not disclosed in the official announcement.

When is the expected completion date?

The project is scheduled for completion in approximately six years from the contract award.