The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) has started the operation of the Western Station on the Orange Line of the Riyadh Metro.
With the bringing into service of this station, the entire line of 22 stations built by Webuild is officially complete. The line is the backbone of the capital’s driverless network, a 176-kilometre infrastructure that places the city among the most advanced in the world for automated public transport.
Located in the western part of Riyadh along one of its main arteries – Al Madinah Al Munawarah Road – the Western Station is an urban hub that redistributes intermodal transport flows. Covering 112,000 square metres, it integrates an elevated metro station, a bus terminal, underground parking with over 600 spaces, retail areas, a mosque and a large public square.
From an architectural perspective, the station offers a contemporary interpretation of the Saudi landscape. The design of its structure takes inspiration from the colours and shapes of desert dunes. Horizontal structures emerge from the ground, defining the entrances, guiding natural light into the interior spaces and providing shaded areas. Two large arches, spanning up to 115 metres and rising by approximately 24 metres, support the main roofs, creating a monumental structure that blends into the urban landscape rather than standing out as an isolated object.
The Western Station is a project with a strong sustainable footprint. The structure was designed according to LEED Gold criteria, one of the most recognised certifications for sustainability. The use of high-efficiency equipment and the contribution of self-generated renewable energy helped reduce water and energy consumption even during construction.
