The ambitious project of the “corridor city” The Line, presented by Saudi Arabia in 2021, now faces significant challenges that cast doubt on its original viability.
With a plan that envisioned a metropolis 170 km long, 500 m high and capable of housing 9 million inhabitants, the works have already begun, although the approach has changed drastically.
Recently, reports suggest that the development priority has been reduced to the first section of only 2.4 km, far from the ambitious goal.
The ambitious plans for The Line have been reduced to a modest stretch of 2.4 km
According to a Reuters investigation, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), key in financing the project, is redirecting its investments towards more sustainable short-term areas, such as logistics and artificial intelligence, instead of continuing with real estate megaprojects.
The viability of The Line is based on a scenario of oil prices that contemplated a barrel at 100 dollars, while it is currently around 60 dollars, which has affected financing and raised concerns about the costs necessary to carry out this monumental project. These difficulties have led to speculation about a possible “course correction” in the investment approach of the PIF.
Despite the grand plans initially presented, including an announcement that the first section of The Line would be completed by 2030, skepticism about whether this initial ambition will be fulfilled is growing.
Consultants have been hired to assess the feasibility of the project and significant changes in its execution are expected.
As sources indicate, the magnitude of the project requires enormous amounts of materials, which also poses logistical challenges. Public perception swings between awe at the ambition of the project and skepticism about its actual realization.
In this context, other developments such as the Trojena tourist hub are also facing delays and complications, highlighting a pattern of uncertainty in Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030 plan.