Saudi Arabia has opened a major extension of Mecca’s Third Ring Road, cutting travel times to key religious sites by up to approximately 90%.
The Royal Commission for Mecca City and Holy Sites announced the opening, which improves access to the Grand Mosque and Jamarat facility in Mina.
The new connection forms part of a project to complete the Third Ring Road, one of four major ring roads surrounding Mecca.
Authorities said the project improves traffic efficiency during peak hours and pilgrimage seasons. It also eases access for residents and visitors in the Al-Mursalat and Al-Aziziyah districts.
Grand Mosque route shortened by 10 kilometres
The journey from the Prince Miteb intersection towards the Grand Mosque now covers 6.5 kilometres, down from 16.5 kilometres.
Meanwhile, the route from the same intersection towards the Jamarat facility has shortened from 12 kilometres to four kilometres.
The changes remove 10 kilometres from the Grand Mosque journey and eight kilometres from the Jamarat route.
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Pilgrims visit the Jamarat facility during Hajj to perform the symbolic stoning ritual, making transport connections to Mina particularly important.
The commission said its project indicators showed a noticeable improvement in mobility during busy periods.
The reported reduction of up to 90% concerns travel time. The shorter distances represent separate improvements and do not mean every journey covers 90% less ground.
The announcement did not provide a comparison of journey times in minutes.
Road can accommodate 170,000 vehicles daily
The road has capacity for up to 170,000 vehicles a day across both directions, according to the commission.
The new connection runs along the western section of the Third Ring Road. It extends from the Prince Miteb intersection to the Grand Mosque intersection through the Prince Sultan intersection.
Officials said the project strengthens connections between major destinations and reduces traffic pressure on surrounding roads.
The commission described the development as part of a wider approach that treats Mecca’s transport network as an interconnected system.
That approach aims to make destinations easier to reach for residents, visitors and pilgrims while improving infrastructure readiness during Hajj and Umrah.
Extension follows earlier transport improvements
The opening follows other road improvements that Saudi authorities announced in September.
On September 26, the Saudi Press Agency reported the opening of additional lanes on the Third Ring Road and Prince Saud Al Faisal Road.
Those works included a further 1.5-kilometre stretch connecting the Prince Miteb and Grand Mosque intersections through Prince Sultan intersection.
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Authorities also opened the final section of Prince Saud Al Faisal Road. It connects the Prince Mohammed bin Salman corridor with Abdulqadir Koshak Street through the Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz intersection.
The commission continues to develop Mecca’s roads and transport connections to improve traffic flow and road safety.
Its broader programme seeks to support everyday movement while accommodating the heavy demand associated with pilgrimage seasons.
