ع
The Arab Contractors Company completed the remaining sections of the Third Ring Road in Makkah, centred on the first interchange and Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Road interchange, and the project was officially inaugurated on September 23, 2026. A concrete bridge carrying three traffic lanes in each direction with six axles now forms the core of the new infrastructure, accompanied by reinforced soil retaining walls and road rehabilitation works. The development supports smoother movement for both residents and pilgrims heading toward the Jamarat area, where large gatherings occur during the Hajj season.
Project records from the Arab Contractors Company listed excavation of 1.2 million cubic metres of rock at Jabal Al Maskhouta, laying of approximately 15,000 cubic metres of asphalt and installation of stormwater drainage, electricity and telecommunications networks. Utility relocations were carried out to clear conflicts along the route while additional road works extended to Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Road itself. These elements were delivered as a comprehensive package that enhances connectivity within the Third Ring Road corridor.
The new lanes form part of a completed ring-road network exceeding 105 kilometres that the Royal Commission for Makkah City and the Holy Sites described in an October 2025 overview. That assessment noted the activation of 49 smart pedestrian crossings, redesign of 14 critical traffic points and completion of seven major intersections across Makkah. Commission figures show the integrated projects have lifted traffic safety levels by 86 percent.
A Royal Commission review indicated that journey times to the holy sites have been cut by up to 70 percent following the network expansion and associated improvements. The system links principal neighbourhoods, main entry points, public transport lines and smart parking facilities to accommodate daily commuter volumes as well as seasonal peaks. Coordination between the commission, the Ministry of Transport, the Holy Capital Municipality and Umm Al-Qura Company guided the planning and execution of the works.
The Third Ring Road upgrades included more than 10 kilometres of new service roads and main bridges along with the Prince Miteb and Muzdalifah intersections, according to the Royal Commission for Makkah City and the Holy Sites. Design standards set primary lane speeds at up to 100 kilometres per hour while maintaining dedicated local access routes. Similar connections added on the Fourth Ring Road in the Al-Rayyan and Al-Khadhra districts have further distributed traffic flows across the city.
Makkah’s road authority has maintained ongoing field operations that applied thousands of cubic metres of asphalt and performed maintenance on bridges, tunnels and lighting systems in the months leading to the latest openings, municipal reports show. These routine interventions complement the larger capital projects by keeping existing infrastructure in operational condition. The combined measures address both immediate congestion challenges and long-term capacity needs generated by urban growth and religious tourism.
