JEDDAH, 22 September 2003 — Part of the Qasim-Madinah-Jeddah Expressway will be opened this week, Transport Minister Dr. Jabara Al-Seraisry announced yesterday.
He said the new expressway, which is expected to cost SR3.3 billion, would be completed within two years.
Speaking to reporters after inspecting pilgrim transport facilities in Makkah and other holy sites, Al-Seraisry said efforts were also under way to implement the railway expansion project, linking the east of the Kingdom with the west.
He highlighted the significance of the Qasim-Jeddah Expressway in facilitating transportation of pilgrims from Syria, Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon as well as the GCC states of Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and the United Arab Emirates.
The minister said the coastal road linking Makkah and Jeddah with Jizan would be ready by next year. “Eight sections of the road were completed last year and another seven sections this year. The remaining two parts will be completed next year,” he added.
He said the second phase of the shuttle bus system was completed at a cost of SR100 million, adding that more than 400,000 Southeast Asian pilgrims would be transported using the system.
Under the shuttle system some 800 buses would be operating between the holy sites of Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifa to transport pilgrims round the clock.
“This system will not only facilitate the transport of pilgrims but also reduce the number of vehicles entering the holy sites during the peak Haj days,” Al-Seraisry said.
Saudi Arabia has also announced plans to establish an international expressway linking the country with Jordan in the north and Yemen in the south.
The government has already made allocations for the road, which will pass by Tewal, Jizan, Darb, Qunfuda, Laith, Jeddah, Yanbu and north Aqaba.
The international highway is likely to play a big role in boosting the Kingdom’s economic, commercial and social relations with the two Arab neighbors.
