JEDDAH, 25 September 2003 — Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, yesterday inaugurated two expressways that constitute a major portion of an east-west highway project.
Prince Abdullah unveiled the plaque to commemorate the opening in Madinah and said, “In the name of God I dedicate this vital project to the nation. May God help us do what is good for our religion, our nation and our people.”
The opening ceremony was attended by senior officials including Prince Nawaf, director of intelligence, and the governors of Makkah, Madinah and Qasim.
Prince Abdullah arrived in Madinah on Tuesday. He is scheduled to open a number of development projects in the region.
Transport Minister Dr. Jabara Al-Seraisry said the two roads — the Qasim-Madinah Expressway and the Madinah-Rabigh-Thole Expressway — were constructed at a total cost of SR3.3 billion.
More than 95 contractors had taken part in the construction of the two expressways with a combined length of 648 kilometers. They are parts of the Qasim-Madinah-Jeddah Expressway, which links the east of the Kingdom with its west, the minister said.
Prince Abdullah laid the foundation for the project some six years ago. Seraisry thanked the crown prince for his support to the road project, which is expected to boost social, economic and commercial development.
The expressways will also improve the safety of travelers, Seraisry said. Saudi Arabia has one of the world’s highest rates of road accidents. The Qasim-Madinah Road was the scene of several fatal road accidents before the construction of the new highway.
Seraisry stressed the significance of the Qasim-Jeddah Expressway in facilitating transportation of pilgrims from neighboring Arab and Gulf countries.
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.
The Kingdom 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.
