The General Authority for Roads announced the results of its sixth annual “Safe and Excellent Roads” campaign, revealing 12,157 observations on the road network across Saudi Arabia. The intensive five-day field campaign focused on surveying the road network outside urban areas, directly contributing to improved safety and maintenance standards and enhancing the quality of the infrastructure.

Details of observations recorded by region

Official campaign statistics showed a disparity in the number of observations across regions, with Riyadh the list with 2,059 observations. Detailed results for the remaining regions are as follows:

• Medina region: 1578 notes.
• Makkah Region: 1511 observations.
• Al-Qassim region: 1421 notes.
• Eastern Region: 1040 notes.
• Al-Jawf region: 964 observations.
• Tabuk region: 731 observations.
• Hail region: 725 observations.
• Asir region: 604 observations.
• Jazan region: 473 observations.
• Al-Baha region: 375 observations.

Integration of government efforts and community participation

This edition of the campaign was distinguished by broad participation and integration across various sectors, with over 620 members distributed across 61 field teams. These teams included representatives from the transport and logistics sector, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, and members of the Special Forces for Road Security. The campaign also witnessed active participation from university students, reflecting the Authority's commitment to engaging young Saudi talent in fieldwork and providing them with the necessary practical experience in road engineering and safety.

Campaign context and national strategy objectives

This campaign, launched by the Minister of Transport and Logistics, Engineer Saleh Al-Jasser, is an integral part of the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, stemming from the Kingdom's Vision 2030. This ambitious strategy aims to solidify the Kingdom's position as a global logistics hub connecting three continents, which necessitates world-class road infrastructure. The General Authority for Roads is working diligently to achieve the Kingdom's ranking sixth globally in the road quality index, with a strong focus on reducing traffic fatalities.

The importance and impact of field monitoring

The importance of the “Safe and Excellent Roads” campaign lies in its proactive approach to identifying actual maintenance needs before they escalate, thus ensuring efficient government spending and swift action. This accurate data contributes to building an up-to-date database that helps decision-makers prioritize maintenance and safety projects. Furthermore, improving road quality positively impacts economic development by facilitating the movement of goods and passengers, in addition to its pivotal role in enhancing the quality of life for citizens, residents, and visitors to the Kingdom.

The Eastern Province Municipality announced today the commencement of comprehensive maintenance work on the King Fahd Road bridge at its intersection with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Road in Al-Khobar. This measure is part of the municipality's ongoing efforts to enhance the efficiency of the road network and improve traffic safety, ensuring smooth traffic flow and the safety of road users.

The municipality explained in its official statement that the project's operational plan necessitates the complete closure of the bridge in both directions. To ensure the continuity of traffic flow and minimize congestion, specific traffic diversions have been implemented. Vehicles will be required to use the service road, then turn right onto King Fahd Road, and finally reach the U-turn at the intersection of Makkah Street and Prince Turki Street to return to the correct lane.

This project is of paramount importance due to the strategic location of King Fahd Road in Al-Khobar Governorate. It is a vital artery connecting different parts of the governorate and serves as a key route for traffic to and from Dammam and the King Fahd Causeway leading to the Kingdom of Bahrain. These maintenance works are part of the Eastern Province's infrastructure development plans, which aim to enhance the quality of life and improve the level of municipal services provided to citizens and residents.

In a related context, the Eastern Province Municipality confirmed that the maintenance work primarily aims to address any technical issues with the bridge's structure and upgrade safety features. This will positively impact traffic accidents and enhance the city's urban landscape. The municipality is working according to a specific timetable to complete the work as quickly as possible to minimize disruption to traffic flow in this vital area.

The municipality urged all drivers to fully cooperate with the relevant authorities and to use alternative routes and smart map applications to avoid traffic congestion during peak hours. It also stressed the importance of adhering to the directional and warning signs posted at the work site and around the traffic diversions, and following the instructions of traffic officers to ensure everyone's safety and the project's timely completion.