The Royal Commission for Riyadh City is continuing work on the eastern section of Thumamah Road, one of the capital's vital corridors, including the construction of a bridge and a tunnel at the intersection of Thumamah Road with Al-Sahabah Road, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

Alongside the construction works, a traffic diversion at the intersection takes effect from September 12, 2026. Traffic is being shifted onto the road running parallel to Thumamah Road on its northern side, with 3 lanes in each direction, and a service lane is provided for adjacent buildings so that movement continues while the tunnel, bridge and surface intersection are built. Alternative routes and guidance signs have been prepared under an integrated traffic management plan coordinated with the relevant authorities.

Drivers who use the intersection daily are advised to follow the signs and allow for the changed layout.

The eastern Thumamah Road project is part of the "third package" of the Ring and Main Roads Development Program. It stretches 8 km and includes 3 bridges, 3 tunnels and 4 main intersections, at Airport Road, Saeed bin Zaid Road, Sheikh Hassan bin Hussein Road and Al-Sahabah Road. It aims to raise capacity to more than 200,000 vehicles per day, improve service levels and cut travel times and delays.

The program as a whole involves building and upgrading more than 500 km of the capital's road network by adding new roads, upgrading existing main corridors and linking them together, as part of efforts to make Riyadh a leading hub for sustainable transport and logistics services in the Middle East.