In a significant infrastructure development, the travel time between Jeddah and Makkah is poised to witness a remarkable reduction from the current duration of 1 hour and 43 minutes to just 35 minutes. This transformation is set to materialize with the imminent opening of a new 72-kilometer highway, which is presently in its concluding stages of construction.

The announcement was made by the X Roads General Authority (RGA), which recently disclosed the commencement of the final phase of the Jeddah-Makkah direct road project. As per the RGA's update, more than 70 percent of the project has already been successfully accomplished.

According to an infographic shared by the authority, the initial phase of the road spanning 7 kilometers has reached an impressive 92 percent completion rate. This is followed by the second phase at 93 percent and the third phase at a commendable 100 percent completion.

The project now stands at the cusp of its fourth and final stage, encompassing the construction of a remaining 20 kilometers of road. Upon its full completion, this highway promises not only to substantially reduce travel times but also to enhance connectivity between Jeddah and Makkah, offering a more efficient transportation option for commuters and travelers alike.