RIYADH — The Riyadh Metro Red Line Extension Project has reached a major construction milestone with the successful manufacturing and factory acceptance testing of its dedicated tunnel boring machine (TBM).

The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) announced that the machine will soon arrive in Riyadh to begin tunneling works connecting King Saud University (KSU) with the Diriyah Gate Development Project. The project is expected to improve connectivity between key destinations while supporting the expansion of Riyadh’s public transportation network.

The TBM uses an Earth Pressure Balance (EPB) system and features an 11.16-meter cutterhead with an overall length of 105 meters. It is equipped with advanced technology designed to safely handle different geological conditions while ensuring accurate and efficient tunnel excavation.

The Red Line extension will add approximately 8.4 kilometers to the Riyadh Metro network, including 7.1 kilometers of underground tunnels and 1.3 kilometers of elevated track.

The expansion also includes five new metro stations. Two stations will serve King Saud University, including one for the Medical City and health colleges and another for the main university campus.

The remaining three stations will be built in Diriyah, including one planned as a future interchange with Metro Line 7, further strengthening the integration of Riyadh’s growing metro network.