Saudi Arabia allots $26.9b to upgrade the country's transport infrastructure JEDDAH – The Gulf region is forging ahead with plans to improve its regional transportation infrastructure, with $121.3 billion worth of road and bridge projects already underway or in the planning phase. Saudi Arabia is the second largest spender in the region, pledging $26.9 billion to upgrade the country's transport infrastructure over the next five years, while the UAE accounts for nearly half of the regional spend, with $58 billion worth of road and bridge projects planned or underway. In Qatar, $17 billion worth of road projects are now in cruise control, as it prepares its expansive transport network ahead of the Football World Cup in 2022, while Kuwait underlines its position as one of the most active markets for road projects in the next two years, with $9 billion of schemes in the pipeline. Oman and Bahrain round off the regional appetite for road and bridge spending, with $8 billion of projects in various stages currently ongoing in Oman, and a further $2 billion in Bahrain. Highlighting enormous business opportunities for the regional traffic sector, the latest figures have been collated by Informa Exhibitions, organizers of Gulf Traffic, to be held on Nov. 19-21 at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). The three-day exhibition features the Gulf Traffic Conference, addressing key traffic and transportation issues facing the Gulf region today, bringing together regional and international experts debating the latest strategies and technology in road safety and congestion management. Run every two years in Abu Dhabi, Gulf Traffic is the only dedicated event for the road, public transport and parking sectors, bringing together more than 100 exhibitors involved in the design, build, and maintenance of the region's road, rail, parking and public transport projects. Richard Pavitt, Exhibition Director for Gulf Traffic, said: “In line with a combined vision to improve road infrastructure and safety, GCC governments have outlined impressive plans to significantly boost investments in developing their road networks." “Road infrastructure development in the region will continue unabated, as governments set out to improve road safety and reduce congestion. Gulf Traffic provides the ideal platform to showcase the latest trends and technologies that will propel the region to the forefront of road, rail, parking and public transport sectors globally. Now in its seventh edition, Gulf Traffic is endorsed by the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT), and is supported by the Abu Dhabi Police, Saaed, the Law Respect Culture Bureau, and ITS Arab. – SG
