RIYADH (SAUDI ARABIA) (ITALPRESS) – A crucial transportation hub and architectural landmark, the Qasr Al Hokm Downtown Station welcomed its first passengers today. The station is one of 22 on the Orange Line (Line 3), built by Webuild on behalf of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC), and embodies the past and future of the Saudi Kingdom and its capital. The Orange Line (Line 3) is the longest line in the Saudi capital’s entire driverless metro network that opened last November.
The Qasr Al Hokm Downtown Station, at 20,000 square meters in area and 40 meters in depth, was a major engineering challenge. Its construction, Webuild reports, involved the use of two mechanical moles that successfully excavated on different levels without disrupting construction activities in the heart of the capital. Distinctive elements of the station include a giant stainless steel cone-shaped roof 70 meters in diameter that acts like a periscope, reflecting images of the historic district inside the station on the surface and showing the modernity of the interior spaces on the outside, where a large cone-shaped wall mimics traditional Arab constructions, creating a visual link with the local culture. In a journey between modernity, technology and tradition, the station is spread over 8 levels, and on the lower level a garden surrounded by glass windows offers passengers an oasis of relaxation, adding an element of tranquility and well-being to the travel experience.
The modern design of the iconic Qasr Al Hokm Downtown Station, designed to offer maximum convenience and accessibility, includes LED lighting fixtures and high-efficiency ventilation systems to reduce energy consumption. Ramps, elevators and tactile signs facilitate access for people with disabilities.
The Riyadh Metro network, with a total length of 176 km, represents one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in the world and will be able to carry up to a maximum of 3.6 million passengers per day. The Orange Line (Line 3) is scheduled to open in planned and coordinated phases, with 14 stations open to the public to date, including the Qasr Al Hokm Downtown Station.
With a historical presence in the Saudi Kingdom, with the first works started in 1966, Webuild is currently working on additional strategic projects in the Kingdom, which include the Connector high-speed line and a system of three dams and a freshwater lake for the city of Trojena, part of the NEOM development program. In Riyadh, it is building a 10,500-space mega parking lot, developed all underground, and the Sang Villas Urbanization Plan. Among its completed projects are the Kingdom Center in Riyadh, which was awarded the 2002 Emporis Skyscraper Award as the world’s best skyscraper for design, more than 70 health care facilities, and the Shuaibah-3 desalination plant, built by Fisia Italimpianti, a subsidiary of the Group specializing in water treatment and desalination.
– Credit photo: Qasr Al Hokm Downtown Station © Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) –
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