Saudi officials have confirmed that the USD23 billion Riyadh metro projected is still on schedule to be completed by 2019 with the project payments being made during the contractual period, despite speculation that the project could be scaled or pushed back amidst economic pressure. The project will extend for 176km (110 miles) and will include 85 stations and six lines – all works are so far going according to plan said Alwalid Alekrish, Director of Construction Development Projects and Project Director of the Riyadh Metro, Arriyadh Development Authority (ADA). Government funding for the project has been ring-fenced but no specific debt or borrowings are associated with the project. A tender to manage the project will be launched in 2017 while ADA is in charge of construction. (Reuters)