The Line Project in Saudi Arabia Abandoned Amid Financial Constraints
Saudi Arabia's ambitious The Line project has been officially suspended due to financial miscalculations and market conditions. Originally projected to span over 170 km with no cars, it has now become a data center site instead of a futuristic city.
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The Line project in Saudi Arabia has been officially suspended as of September 2025 by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), with only 1.4% of construction completed. Hyundai Engineering & Construction formally canceled a $1 billion contract for the high-speed train tunnel intended for the city.
The original concept involved a city without cars, prioritizing renewable energy and pedestrian access, but an internal audit revealed a projected cost of $8.8 trillion, far exceeding the public estimate of $1.5 trillion. Economic pressures, including oil prices falling below $90 per barrel, led PIF to shift focus to more immediately profitable projects like the 2034 World Cup.
The impact on local communities was significant, with over 6,000 residents displaced during initial phases. The remnants of The Line will now be repurposed into a data center.
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