This project involves construction of a tunnel to link Mecca with Taif in Saudi Arabia. The project covers the construction of 11 Km tunnel which will start at Khalidiya and end at Al Kar, being connected to Makkah-Taif Expressway, including 2 parallel tunnels, each with 3 lanes; one for upward traffic to Taif and the other for downward traffic to Makkah. The tunnels will have a diameter of 13.5 m, a width of 14 m and a height of 8.7 m. The project is expected to cost up to $500m. Local Consulting Engineering Group has completed the design works for the scheme. The designs are understood to have been submitted to both the Mecca Municipality and the Transport Ministry in January 2017. Due to financial issues in the kingdom, the tender for the construction package is not expected to be released before 2017end.