Eastern Saudi road network crucial for trade, economy, industry, and development

Dammam, Dec 23, 2023, The road network in the Eastern region of Saudi Arabia has emerged as a cornerstone in facilitating trade, supporting the economy, fostering industrial growth, enabling efficient logistics, and promoting social development.

This vast road network in the Eastern region stretches over 6,800 kilometers, showcasing a diverse infrastructure that includes 4,000 kilometers of single-lane roads, 2,300 kilometers of dual-lane roads, and more than 500 kilometers of highways. What sets the Eastern region apart is not just its extensive road network but also its strategic connectivity with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, establishing crucial links for commerce and social interaction. Notably, the Rub' al Khali (Empty Quarter) road stands out as an engineering marvel, spanning over 560 kilometers across the Rub Al Khali sand desert. This road has not only enhanced logistics and trade but has also facilitated social mobility, serving as a route for pilgrims from the Sultanate of Oman.

Several roads in the Eastern Region have gained acclaim for their exceptional standards of safety and quality, effectively interconnecting different regions. The Abu Hadriyah highway, the Kingdom's inaugural highway inaugurated during the reign of the late King Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, stands as a testament to the region's commitment to pioneering infrastructure.

The Roads General Authority (RGA) is at the forefront of efforts to enhance and regulate the entire road network across the Kingdom. Committed to overseeing this vital sector, the authority is diligently working towards realizing the objectives outlined in the road sector strategy. The emphasis is on ensuring safety, maintaining quality, and mitigating traffic congestion. The overarching goal is to elevate the Kingdom's global standing in road quality, aiming for the sixth position in the road quality index by 2030, while simultaneously reducing road fatalities to less than five cases per 100,000 population. Through strategic planning and execution, the Eastern region's road network is contributing significantly to the Kingdom's broader developmental goals and aspirations.