cars on Arabia

[#Drennn.]

With the arrival of petrodollars, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has initiated many mega infrastructure development projects in the country, and the extensive development of the transportation network has followed suit in support of various economic developments. As a result, the country now boasts an extensive transportation network.

Roads in Saudi Arabia vary from eight-laned roads to small two-lane roads in rural areas. The city highways and other major highways are well maintained, especially the roads in the capital Riyadh. The roads have been constructed to resist the consistently high temperatures and do not reflect the strong sunshine. The other city highways such as the one linking coast to coast are not as great as the inner-city highways but the government is now working on rebuilding those roads. In October 2013, a group of auto enthusiasts drove some 2,000 km (1,200 mi) through Saudi Arabia in search of the best driving road, and named the Jeddah-Taif-Al-Hada highway as "motoring nirvana".

Saudi Arabia had encouraged road transport in the past as had it maintained one of the lowest petrol prices in the world, at $0.13 per litre. In 2018, this price was raised to about $0.54 per litre, which is still not that high global-wise but definitely the highest it had ever been in the oil producing kingdom.It is worth noting that due to limited alternative passenger transport options in the country, the gasoline fuel demand is relatively inelastic to its prices;light-duty vehicles dominate the passenger transport landscape. Buses and other public transport options are limited, and walking or bicycles are hindered by the sprawling city landscapes and harsh weather in most regions of the country.

Some of the important inter-city highways include the following:

 

Dammam - Abu Hadriya - Ras Tanura Highway 257 km (160 mi)

Khaybar - Al Ola Highway 175 km (109 mi)

Mecca - Madinah Al Munawarah Highway 421 km (262 mi)

Riyadh - Dammam Highway 383 km (238 mi)

Riyadh - Sudair - Al Qasim Highway 317 km (197 mi)

Riyadh - Taif Highway 750 km (470 mi)

Taif - Abha - Jizan Highway 750 km (470 mi)

Medina - Tabuk Highway 680 km (420 mi)

Jeddah - Al Leith - Jizan Highway 775 km (482 mi)

Jeddah - Mecca Highway 80 km (50 mi)

On 19 February 2018, it was announced that four of the main Saudi motorways that allow for high speed will grant a speed limit increase to users from 120 kmph to 140 kmph. Those motorways are (Mecca-Medina), (Riyadh-Dammam), (Riyadh-Gassim) and finally (Riyadh-Taif).

Edited April 22, 2019 by - Dark
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