Saudi Arabia plans to spend $2.9bn (SR: 11bn) on new road projects in 2013, according to Transport Minister Jabara Al-Seraisry.
Arab News reports that the budget allocation allows for 223 new road projects to be initiated across the country, with Riyadh and Makkah attracting the most investment.
Riyadh will have new road projects valued at $395m (SR: 1.48bn), followed by $320m (SR 1.2bn) for Makkah.
“There will be 22 road projects in the Asir region,” the minister said, adding that they would cost $293.3bn (SR: 1.1bn).
The southern province of Jazan will have projects worth $211.2m (SR: 792m), while Tabuk will have eight projects valued at $198.3m (SR: 744m), Hail 13 projects worth $176m (SR: 660m), Baha $117.7m (SR: 644m) worth of projects, and Najran $114.6m (SR: 430m).
Al-Jouf will have $107.7m (SR: 404m) worth of projects in the year, while the Northern Border province can expect 11 projects worth $86.4m (SR: 324m), Al-Seraisry revealed.
“The total length of roads under the new projects will be 3,708 km,” he said, adding that the ministry would conduct studies and make designs for 1,523 km roads during this year.