Saudi Arabia’s The Line, a flagship component of the NEOM megaproject, is one of the most ambitious urban development initiatives in modern history. Envisioned as a 170-kilometer-long linear smart city in the desert, The Line aims to redefine urban living with zero-carbon emissions, no cars, and a mirrored, vertical cityscape rising 500 meters tall. Part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 to diversify the kingdom’s oil-dependent economy, the project has made significant progress but faces financial, logistical, and ethical hurdles. Below is a comprehensive overview of The Line’s development, achievements, challenges, and future prospects.
Project Overview
The Line is a revolutionary urban development project within NEOM, a $500 billion giga-project in Saudi Arabia’s northwest Tabuk Province. Stretching 170 kilometers from the Red Sea coast to the inland mountains, The Line is designed as a narrow, linear city just 200 meters wide, with two mirrored skyscrapers rising 500 meters high and running parallel along its entire length. This vertical cityscape, clad in reflective glass, aims to house up to 9 million residents—equivalent to New York City’s population—in a compact footprint that preserves 95% of NEOM’s natural environment.
The Line is structured as a series of interconnected “modules,” each approximately 800 meters long, functioning as self-contained communities with residential, commercial, and recreational spaces. These modules are organized into larger “phases,” with the first phase, known as the Hidden Marina, covering a 2.4-kilometer (1.5-mile) stretch. Each module will feature schools, healthcare facilities, and green spaces, all accessible within a five-minute walk, eliminating the need for cars. A high-speed underground transit system, dubbed the “Spine,” will connect the entire city, enabling end-to-end travel in 20 minutes at speeds up to 500 km/h.
The project is powered by 100% renewable energy, primarily solar and wind, with hydrogen-based storage systems to ensure sustainability. Advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, robotics, and Internet of Things (IoT) infrastructure, will optimize energy use, waste management, and urban services. The Line’s design eliminates roads and vehicles, relying on pedestrian pathways, autonomous shuttles, and vertical transportation (elevators and skybridges) within the skyscrapers. Its modular structure allows for phased construction, with the first residents expected to move into the Hidden Marina by 2030.
The Line is a cornerstone of NEOM, which spans 26,500 square kilometers and includes other developments like Oxagon (a floating industrial hub), Trojena (a mountain resort), and Sindalah (a luxury yachting island). NEOM is funded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), with additional investments sought from global partners. The Line’s initial budget was $500 billion, but costs have escalated significantly. Announced in 2021, construction began in 2022, with an original completion target of 2030 for the first phase, though the full 170-kilometer city may take decades to complete.
The project aligns with Vision 2030’s goals of economic diversification, reducing oil dependency, and positioning Saudi Arabia as a global hub for innovation and tourism. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman envisions The Line as a “civilizational revolution,” addressing urban sprawl, pollution, and unsustainable growth by creating a model for future cities worldwide.
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Recent Developments
Construction Progress
Satellite imagery and official updates indicate significant advancements at The Line’s construction site, described as the “world’s largest.” Key developments include:
- Hidden Marina: The first residential phase, a 1.5-mile, $140 billion section, is taking shape with a 500-meter-tall mirrored structure. It is the only segment expected to be operational by 2030.
- Infrastructure: Large-scale earthworks, grid-like layouts, and support facilities are visible, with over 60 wind turbines installed and the Oxagon port bustling with activity.
- Worker Settlements: Purpose-built camps house over 100,000 workers, primarily from Pakistan and Bangladesh, supporting the massive construction effort.
- Excavation: Rapid site preparation continues, with hundreds of trucks moving tonnes of earth, as shown in drone footage shared by NEOM executives.
At the 2025 World Economic Forum in Davos, NEOM’s Chief Development Officer Denis Hickey announced plans to begin vertical construction by late 2025, a critical milestone.
Leadership Changes
In April 2025, Aiman al-Mudaifer was appointed NEOM’s permanent CEO, succeeding Nadhmi al-Nasr, who resigned in November 2024 amid controversies. Mudaifer, who served as acting CEO, brings deep knowledge of the project and PIF oversight, aiming to stabilize leadership and restore credibility.
Milestones
- Sindalah Opening: In October 2024, NEOM’s luxury yachting island welcomed its first visitors, marking the project’s first completed phase.
- Global Events: The Line is set to host a rooftop stadium for the 2034 FIFA World Cup and facilities for the 2029 Asian Winter Games in Trojena, driving urgency for key completions.
Financial Challenges
The Line’s cost estimates have skyrocketed, raising concerns about feasibility. Initially budgeted at $500 billion, recent audits suggest a staggering $8.8 trillion price tag—25 times Saudi Arabia’s annual GDP—with completion potentially taking 55 years. Key financial issues include:
- Budget Overruns: A 2023 internal audit, reported by the Wall Street Journal, revealed a $10 billion expense surge, with allegations of “deliberate manipulation” of financial projections by management and consultants like McKinsey & Co.
- Oil Price Volatility: Saudi Arabia’s reliance on oil revenues, coupled with recent price drops to four-year lows, strains funding. Experts suggest the kingdom may need to cut spending or seek non-oil revenue.
- Global Tariffs: U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs could disrupt NEOM’s supply chain, increasing costs.
- Investor Hesitancy: Potential investors are wary of the project’s scale, regulatory environment, and financial opacity, hindering private funding.
To address costs, The Line’s scope has been scaled back. Plans for 1.5 million residents by 2030 have been reduced to under 300,000, and only a 1.5-mile stretch is prioritized. Proposals to lower skyscraper heights to 1,000 feet were rejected by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Environmental and Ethical Concerns
The Line’s ecological and human rights implications have drawn global scrutiny:
- Environmental Impact: Environmental groups criticize the project’s massive ecological footprint, questioning the feasibility of its carbon-neutral claims.
- Worker Conditions: A December 2024 report alleged severe issues in worker camps, including gang rape, attempted murder, and suicides. Over 21,000 migrant workers have reportedly died since 2016, prompting outrage.
- Design Feasibility: Experts doubt whether The Line’s mirrored skyscrapers and vertical city concept can be delivered at scale, branding it “impossible.”
Public and Official Responses
Saudi officials remain optimistic, emphasizing The Line’s transformative potential. Finance Minister Faisal Al Ibrahim denied downsizing claims, and NEOM’s social media highlights progress to counter “naysayers.” Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman champions The Line as a solution to urban and environmental crises, aiming to “redefine livability.”
Public sentiment on X reflects mixed views. Some posts celebrate The Line’s ambition, describing it as a “$725 billion linear city” with “zero-carbon” goals. Others highlight delays and controversies, with images of the sprawling construction site fueling debate.
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Future Outlook
The Line’s success hinges on overcoming financial constraints, stabilizing leadership, and addressing ethical concerns. With Saudi Arabia’s commitment to Vision 2030 unwavering, NEOM is expected to deliver phased completions, starting with the Hidden Marina and Sindalah. Further updates are anticipated in 2025 as the kingdom prepares for global events. However, the project’s long-term viability depends on securing private investment, managing costs, and mitigating human rights criticisms.
As The Line slowly takes shape, it remains a bold experiment in urban innovation—one that could either redefine city living or become a cautionary tale of overambition. The Interview Times will continue to monitor this historic endeavor.