Webuild has successfully completed works on the Western station of the Riyadh Metro network. By bringing this station into service, the entire line of the Italian builder’s 22-station network on the Orange line is officially complete.

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 112,000sqm, it integrates an elevated metro station, a bus terminal, underground parking with over 600 spaces, retail areas, a mosque and a large public square, said a statement.

A 176km infrastructure route, the Orange line is said to be the backbone of the capital’s driverless network, that places the city among the most advanced in the world for automated public transport.

Celebrating the key milestone, The Royal Commission for Riyadh City said it has started operations on the Western Station, a vital Saudi project with a strong sustainable footprint. The structure was designed according to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold criteria, one of the most recognised certifications for sustainability, said the RCRC in its statement.

The use of high-efficiency equipment and the contribution of self-generated renewable energy helped reduce water and energy consumption even during construction, it added.

The Italian builder pointed out that 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,” said a spokesman for the company.

“Two large arches, spanning up to 115m and rising by 24m, support the main roofs, creating a monumental structure that blends into the urban landscape rather than standing out as an isolated object,” he concluded.