Riyadh Metro – Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)

Riyadh Metro is a mega project being built in the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This ‘greenfield’ project is the largest transit capital expenditure program yet launched in the Kingdom. It comprises a network length of 176.5km, 85 transit stations and seven rail depots. The project was initiated to provide a modern, world-class transportation network equipped with the latest technology. Valued at $27 billion, it will play a critical role in alleviating the city’s traffic congestion where 90% of trips are undertaken in vehicles.

Collaboration With The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC)

The Riyadh Metro, which launched its first phase in November 2024, is a transformative project aimed at reshaping urban mobility in Saudi Arabia. The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) awarded two of its three Program Management/Construction Management (PM/CM) mega contracts to a Parsons-led joint venture called Riyadh Metro Transit Consultants (RMTC). The joint venture includes three of the world’s top transit PM/CM consultants: Parsons, Egis, and SYSTRA. RMTC was awarded three of the six lines, representing 60% of the entire program, and manages two major Design and Build (D&B) consortiums. 

The first phase of the project is successfully handed over to the client and is now fully operational. All 85 stations of the Riyadh Metro are delivered using Design-Build contracts. Four of these stations are considered ‘iconic,’ and their designs are chosen through an architectural competition. The winning firms are then subcontracted to the main construction joint ventures to support the construction of those stations. Having many contractors involved in delivering this project requires a high degree of collaboration and coordination throughout. Another key factor in the success of this project is stakeholder engagement, with the work affecting residential and commercial areas, as well as numerous governmental agencies. We also coordinate operations with the existing bus transit system, which integrates with the rail network. 

The Riyadh Metro is set to be the longest driverless metro line in the world. With its prominence and first-to-market role, we anticipate the hurdles that could arise during construction. Designing sufficient cooling capacity for stations with extensive glass surfaces in Riyadh’s extreme heat is one such challenge, which we address in different ways, including various types of HVAC units and special glass materials. We also revise the deep underground station designs due to a higher-than-expected water table. Managing local traffic and utilities during the simultaneous construction of 85 stations, 7 depots, and 174 km of guideway also adds to the challenges, requiring experts from around the globe to achieve success. 

Riyadh Metro provides a modern, world-class transportation network equipped with the latest technology. Managing a project of this scale requires a highly skilled team. We prioritize retaining key project staff who perform well and effectively resolve issues with contractors. We uphold world-class safety and quality standards; exceeding even our own internal targets and OSHA standards. In fact, we set what we believe are true milestones and records, reaching over 2,500 Days Lost-Time Injury-Free in October 2024. This fosters consistent performance from both our project management staff and the contractors. 

Sustainability In Action

The project adopted several sustainable measures that allowed for a reduction in energy consumption such as adopting on-site generated energy from photovoltaic cells, energy-efficient equipment, LED lighting fixtures, and occupancy and presence sensors. There is also a reduction in water use including collected/treated on-site gray water, treated sewage effluent, water-efficient fixtures, and efficient irrigation systems along the metro corridor and others.

The completed project will have a considerable reduction in carbon emissions by providing a sustainable means of transportation that aims to reduce citizens’ and residents’ dependence on vehicles. The project is considering an urban development that promotes shading using trees and artificial shading devices and adaptive and native plants along the metro corridor, taking into consideration the solar reflectance index (SRI) value in the selection of pavers, underground parking areas, and more. 

The designs developed for the four iconic stations require meeting, at a minimum, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver certification standards. Overall, the project has taken the life-cycle design approach: plan, design, and construct the project using materials that are local, recyclable, and nonpolluting, such as using an ecological wall instead of concrete retaining walls in the depot area. 

The Riyadh Metro is a significant milestone in the Kingdom’s infrastructure development journey, and it is worth noting that the contract mandates a 100-year design life for all structures. We are proud to be part of this focus on innovative infrastructure and projects that advance sustainability and longevity, enhancing the lives of the people and the communities that the metro serves. To achieve this, we use advanced technologies such as high-performance grouts and concretes, along with cathodic protection, to provide a world-class transportation experience. We also incorporate specialized HVAC systems that utilize recycled water and integrate solar panels throughout the metro network. Solar panels are installed across the metro stations and depots to generate 20 percent of the energy needed for critical systems and reduce the carbon footprint of the network. Some stations even achieved LEED Silver and Gold certifications. The metro trains incorporate other energy-efficient technologies, including regenerative braking, which generates energy during braking and reduces overall power consumption. The technologies, innovations, and approaches to sustainability used in this project provide a benchmark for what the future of sustainable urban mobility can be. The electric-powered metro significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions, offering a cleaner, faster, and more sustainable alternative to road travel in the Kingdom. 

Implementation Of Junior Engineer Education Program (JEEP)

We are committed to developing the careers of young people in every country we operate. To underscore this commitment, we initiated the Junior Engineer Education Program (JEEP) which focuses on developing Saudi graduates. JEEP is a structured program that combines formal training with on-the-job experience. Working directly with the project team offers the graduates the unique opportunity to be a part of a historical mega construction rail project, and to work with and learn from leading industry experts. The experience gained will enable them to become competent engineers and will help develop a valuable engineering talent pool in KSA. 

Our robust quality assurance program holds contractors accountable for correcting non-compliances, even impacting invoice certification to underscore the importance of compliance and minimize rework. Managing talent acquisition within the PM/CM office streamlines recruitment and helps us maintain the necessary staffing levels. 

“From its inception, the Riyadh Metro was conceived as a transformative project to reshape urban mobility and dramatically improve the lives of residents and visitors alike. On behalf of Parsons, a long-term partner of the RCRC, and the lead consultant for the delivery of this world-class system, I would like to congratulate His Majesty King Salman and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Salman on its first day of operations,” said Pierre Santoni, President, Infrastructure EMEA at Parsons. “We look forward to supporting the city of Riyadh and the Kingdom in the successful completion of subsequent stages of the metro and the wider Saudi Vision 2030, by using global experience and deep local expertise to deliver excellence on every project.” 

Our Scope

• Program and project management 
• Safety management 
• Design management 
• Construction management 
• Cost management and cost estimating 
• Schedule management 
• Integration and interface management 
• Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QA/QC) 
• Sustainability management 
• Stakeholder management 
• Risk management 
• HR management 
• Materials and resources management 
• Documentations management 
• Contracts management and administration 
• Engineer of Record (EoR): Packages 1 & 2 
• Engineering review 
• Inspection and supervision 
• HSE oversight 
• Advisory and admin services