Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Line megacity is making waves by consuming a staggering 20% of the world’s available steel, underscoring the scale of its construction challenge. Part of the larger Neom project, the Line is central to Saudi Arabia’s efforts to shift its economy from oil dependency to tourism and innovation, as fossil fuel reliance decreases in the coming years.
The Line, once completed, will stretch 170 km (105 miles) through the desert, although its initial phase, set for completion by 2030, will cover just 2.4 km (1.5 miles). Even at this reduced scale, it will rise to 500 meters (1,640 feet) and span 200 meters (656 feet) in width, creating a futuristic urban structure wrapped in mirrored walls. The enclosed city will host around 300,000 residents and feature advanced artificial intelligence (AI) systems, managing everything from waste disposal to water consumption, alongside high-level surveillance.
To support this colossal undertaking, Saudi authorities have commissioned a new SAR 700-million (US$190-million) concrete multi-plant factory, capable of producing up to 20,000 cubic meters (roughly 700,000 cubic feet) of concrete daily. Most of this output is dedicated to the Line, while the remainder is earmarked for other Neom projects. Meanwhile, over 100,000 workers labor around the clock, clearing the desert for its enormous foundation. As of now, nearly 1,000 of the 30,000 planned foundation piles have been placed.
According to Neom’s chief investment officer, Manar Al Moneef, the project is currently consuming one fifth of all the steel produced worldwide, a statistic that highlights the project’s monumental scale. As the Line grows, Neom is expected to remain the world’s largest consumer of building materials for years to come. This comes as Neom’s organizers pledge increased transparency to reassure investors and secure additional funding. Other major projects in Neom, including Treyam, Epicon, and Xaynor, are also advancing.
Source: NEOM
