Engineers release update on world’s largest construction site

Saudi Arabia’s futuristic mountain ski resort and the centerpiece of the world’s largest construction project, known as Neom, is unlikely to be ready in time to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games, a new report said.

The Games could be relocated to South Korea, a main engineering and construction contractor responsible for executing the complex said, according to business news outlet The Edge Malaysia.

Newsweek has reached out to Eversendai Corporation Berhad and Neom for comment.

Why It Matters

The news aligns with multiple media reports on delays and budget overruns facing the kingdom’s flagship project. Neom’s development is focused on the mainland area of Tabuk Province, along the Red Sea coast. The project encompasses various regions, including The Line, Oxagon, and Trojena, a mountain ski resort built in the desert that will depend on artificial snow to deliver year-round winter sports and activities.

What To Know

Eversendai Corporation Berhad said construction at Trojena will continue “without interruption” despite reports that the 2029 Asian Winter Games may be reassigned to another host country.

“As with any such project, early-stage challenges have emerged—particularly in relation to execution timelines and the unexpectedly complex terrain and rock conditions,” the company said in a Sunday statement published by The Edge Malaysia. “These issues, while significant, are not insurmountable,” it added.

Eversendai announced the Trojena contract in March last year, describing it as its “largest and most challenging project,” and said work has been “progressing well,” in its year-end report published on its website in 2024.

Up on Jebel al Lawz Mountain in the northwest of Saudi Arabia, Trojena rises to more than 8,500 feet above sea level and extends over an area of nearly 870 square miles and is set to include about 18 miles of ski slopes and a giant human-made lake.

What People Are Saying

Eversendai Corporation’s statement, as published by The Edge Malaysia: “To address the pressures associated with tight deadlines and logistical challenges, the Saudi Arabian government is reportedly exploring the option of transferring the hosting rights for the Asian Winter Games to South Korea.

“This strategic adjustment would provide the necessary time and flexibility to ensure the long-term success of the Trojena Ski Village project, without compromising its vision or objectives.”

Neom spokesperson Sahar Al-Anbar wrote on LinkedIn earlier in August: “It’s natural for a project of this scale to go through periods of review and adjustment. These actions are actually reassuring and reflect responsible management. By reassessing resource allocation, Neom takes a proactive approach to stay in line with its ambitious long-term objectives.”

What Happens Next

Neom has yet to provide a comprehensive update on the scope of its projects following the appointment of a new CEO.