Tunnel boring machine ready for Riyadh Metro’s Red Line extension

Logo of Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) 

The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) announced progress on the Riyadh Metro’s Red Line extension Project, with the completion of the manufacture of the tunnel boring machine (TBM) designated for the project and the successful completion of factory acceptance tests.

The machine will now be transported to Riyadh for deployment in the tunneling works of the extension project, which will connect King Saud University with the Diriyah Gate Development Project, state-run news agency SPA reported.

The machine operates using an Earth Pressure Balance (EPB) system. Its cutterhead has a diameter of 11.16 meters, while the machine has an overall length of 105 meters. It has been equipped with a range of engineering technologies that enhance its ability to operate under varying geological conditions, thereby improving the efficiency of excavation and construction works.

The Red Line, one of the main lines within the Riyadh Metro network, extends approximately 8.4 kilometers. It connects several key destinations and includes 7.1 kilometers of deep underground tunnels and 1.3 kilometers of elevated track. The extension will include five stations, two of which will be located at King Saud University—the first serving the university's medical city and health colleges, and the second serving the university's main hall. The remaining three stations will be located in Diriyah, with one of them serving as a future interchange with Line 7.