Riyadh: Inauguration of the First Phase of the Sports Boulevard Project

Beth News Agency:

The Board of Directors of the Sports Boulevard Foundation, chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, has announced the inauguration of the first phase of the Sports Boulevard project in Riyadh. This phase includes five destinations: Wadi Hanifa Destination, the Promenade Destination, the section between the intersection of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Road and Prince Turki bin Abdulaziz Al-Awwal Road, the internal track of Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, and the first phase of the Sand Sports Park. With the completion of this phase, the total length of implemented routes in the project has reached 83 kilometers, with an overall project completion rate of 40%.

The inauguration of the first phase of the Sports Boulevard project marks a significant milestone for one of Riyadh’s mega projects launched by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, on March 19, 2019. The project is closely overseen by the Crown Prince and aims to elevate Riyadh’s global ranking as one of the world’s most livable cities. It contributes to achieving one of the key objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 by promoting physical, mental, and social well-being, fostering a healthy lifestyle, and providing an attractive and positive environment for Riyadh’s residents and visitors.

This inauguration is part of the Foundation’s efforts to establish an innovative and sustainable urban transformation, positioning the Sports Boulevard as an environmental artery connecting Riyadh from west to east. The project enables residents and visitors to engage in various sports activities, enhancing their quality of life by encouraging physical activity within the community.

The first completed destination in this phase is Wadi Hanifa Destination, located in the western part of Riyadh. It extends for 13.4 km from Al-Ilb Dam in the north to Jeddah Road in the south, passing through the Diriyah Gate project. This destination features dedicated paths for pedestrians, cyclists, and horse riders, along with green areas, rest stops, and cyclist stations. Wadi Hanifa Destination is connected to the Promenade Destination via the Cycling Bridge, one of the project’s iconic structures. This bridge, located at the intersection of King Khalid Road and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Road, features two separate tracks—one for pedestrians spanning 1 km and another for cyclists extending 771 meters. The bridge enhances safe and sustainable mobility, allowing users to travel securely from Diriyah to the Promenade Destination along Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Road.

The Promenade Destination stretches over 4 km and is designed according to the Sports Boulevard’s urban code, inspired by the principles of Salmani architecture. This destination includes professional and amateur cycling lanes, cyclist rest stops, green spaces, water features, leisure areas, children’s playgrounds, retail outlets, and centers specializing in bicycle rentals and accessories.

The intersection segment of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Road and Prince Turki bin Abdulaziz Al-Awwal Road spans 300 meters and features the Art Tower, an artistic landmark inspired by high-voltage electricity towers that once lined Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Road. The tower is adorned with geometric panels that interact with sunlight, creating a striking visual effect and serving as a prominent attraction within the project.

Another key component of this phase is the internal (circular) track within Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, which extends for 20 km. This track features dedicated lanes for cyclists and pedestrians, facilitating seamless movement between university facilities for staff, students, and visitors.

The Sand Sports Park Destination, located southeast of King Khalid International Airport, is the fifth completed destination in this phase. It boasts extensive cycling routes for professionals and amateurs, as well as dedicated mountain biking trails and horse-riding paths. At the heart of the park is the Najdi Rose, a central cycling circuit for professionals. The park’s cycling routes extend over 45 km, with over 350,000 square meters of sand dunes rehabilitated. The park also features retail outlets and specialized centers for bicycle rentals and accessories. The remaining phases of the Sand Sports Park will be completed later, incorporating additional buildings and sports facilities.

The five destinations of the Sports Boulevard project will officially open to visitors starting Thursday, February 27, 2025. For more details about these destinations and directions to access them, please visit the official Sports Boulevard website: www.SportsBoulevard.sa.

Notably, the Sports Boulevard had previously inaugurated the Prince Turki bin Abdulaziz Al-Awwal Road Tunnel, aimed at improving traffic flow and enhancing mobility in Riyadh. The construction of the remaining destinations is progressing as planned, including the next phase after the Promenade Destination, Wadi Destination, King Abdulaziz Road Tunnel, and Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq Road Tunnel, following the approved timeline for the project's completion.