Saudi Arabia’s NEOM megacity, particularly its centerpiece project ‘The Line,’ has captured global attention as a futuristic urban experiment. Originally pitched as a 170-kilometer, zero-carbon, car-free city, NEOM promised to redefine urban living with cutting-edge technology, AI-driven infrastructure, and sustainable design. However, as of 2025, construction has advanced only in limited sections, and officials are recalibrating timelines and budgets, sparking questions about when this ambitious vision will become a reality.
NEOM’s ‘The Line’: A glimpse into Saudi’s Futuristic Megacity
Saudi Arabia’s ambitious NEOM project, especially its flagship development, ‘The Line,’ has garnered global attention as a bold step towards futuristic urban living. Stretching over 170 kilometers in the Tabuk province, ‘The Line’ is envisioned as a linear city with mirrored facades, no cars, and powered entirely by renewable energy. However, as of 2025, the project is navigating through various challenges, with significant developments and milestones achieved.
Current construction milestones:
- Hidden Marina Development: The Hidden Marina, a pivotal component of ‘The Line,’ is under active construction. This 2.4-kilometer section is designed to house approximately 200,000 residents and is expected to feature 80,000 apartments, 9,000 hotel rooms, retail spaces, and recreational facilities. The marina aims to be completed by 2030, aligning with the anticipated timeline for the 2034 World Cup.
- Foundation Work and Earthworks: Significant progress has been made in laying the groundwork for ‘The Line.’ Over 4,500 foundation piles have been installed, with plans to complete 15,000 piles in total. Excavation efforts are ongoing, with approximately 1 million cubic meters of earth being moved weekly to prepare the site for construction.
Infrastructure Development : The construction of essential infrastructure is progressing steadily. This includes the development of tunnels, canals, and rail systems that will form the backbone of ‘The Line.’ These infrastructures are designed to support the city’s sustainable and car-free lifestyle, incorporating AI-driven systems and renewable energy sources.
NEOM’s ‘The Line’ faces major setback
Saudi Arabia’s NEOM project, particularly its centerpiece, ‘The Line,’ a proposed 170-kilometer linear city, has encountered significant hurdles. Initially envisioned as a futuristic urban marvel with no cars, streets, or carbon emissions, the project aimed to house nine million residents. However, as of late 2025, only a 2.4-kilometer segment has been constructed, with no residents yet residing there.The ambitious timeline has been revised multiple times, with the full completion now projected for 2045, a significant delay from earlier estimates. Financial constraints, including a reported $8 billion write-down by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, have further complicated progress
Historical background: How NEOM came to be
The idea for NEOM was first unveiled in 2017 as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a strategic plan aimed at diversifying the economy beyond oil. The project’s name comes from the Greek word ‘Neo’ (new) and the Arabic word ‘Mostaqbal’ (future) literally meaning ‘New Future.’Key milestones in NEOM’s history include:
- 2017: NEOM announced the
Future Investment Initiative , envisioned as a $500 billion mega-city with groundbreaking urban design. - 2018–2019: Initial land surveys, environmental studies, and design competitions were conducted; Trojena, a mountain resort, was proposed.
- 2020–2021: Early construction of infrastructure began, including roads, utilities, and foundations for pilot projects.
- 2022–2024: Plans for hydrogen production, smart cities, and AI integration were detailed, but budget overruns and construction delays started emerging.
- 2025: Limited vertical construction of ‘The Line’ is underway, but full-scale rollout has been delayed, prompting strategic reassessments and revised timelines.
Why it matters: NEOM is not just an urban project, it’s a global testbed for futuristic city planning, renewable energy, and smart infrastructure. Its successes or setbacks could influence how countries approach sustainable megacities in the decades ahead.
Possible rollout and completion timeline
NEOM’s ‘The Line’ is being developed in phases, with the initial 2–5 km segment expected to be structurally completed by late 2026, showcasing pilot residential areas and sustainable infrastructure. The mid-section expansion is projected through 2030, gradually adding public transportation and partial occupancy for early residents. Full-scale completion of the 170-kilometer city is now anticipated around 2045, with millions of residents, renewable energy integration, and AI-driven urban systems. These dates remain tentative, reflecting the project’s ambitious scale and ongoing construction challenges.
