Suraisri said Friday the Ministry's budget allocation of SR10.78 billion for 2012 provided for 284 projects to construct 4,154 km of highways, secondary and branch roads in addition to conducting studies and designing of 2,139 km of roads. While some of the projects are new, others are just completion of existing projects. The minister added that SR15 million has been allocated to conduct studies and designing of a public transportation system for each city. The aim is to ease the rush of traffic particularly in large cities. The new allocations include construction of 814 km of new roads and study and designing 759 km of roads in the Riyadh region. Makkah region will get 432 km of new roads in addition to the study and designing of 80 km of roads. In Madina region, 372 km of new roads will be constructed and studies on 90 km for roads will be done. Qassim region will get projects for the construction of 216 km and studies on 50 km. The length of new roads to be built in the Eastern region is estimated at 496 km and studies will be conducted for the construction of 175 km. Asir region will have 428 km of new roads apart from making studies to construct 202 km of roads, while Tabuk region is to get 230 km of new roads, Hail region will get 213 km of roads and studies covering a distance of 92 km. The new budget also approved 194 km of new roads in addition to studies on 66 km in the Northern Border region. Jizan region will have new roads of 217 km besides studies for 212 km. Najran region will get 247 km of new roads apart from studies for 67 km of roads. Baha region will get new roads of 140 km, and study to construct 162 km of new road. Roads of 154 km and study for 184 km will be conducted in Al-Jouf region, the minister said in a statement Friday.
