The underpass was scheduled to open on Thursday but was delayed until Sunday due to the mayor suddenly falling ill.

Fakieh appeared in good health when he opened the new tunnel, which took more than three years to construct at a cost of more than SR9 million.

“The tunnel is 470 meters in length and 29 meters wide, and has three lanes in both directions,” said Saeed Ba-Fahad, director general of the Bridges and Tunnels Department at Jeddah Municipality.

“All roads have been prepared and lights, pavements and curbs have been set,” said Ba-Fahad.

Fakieh said that this is the third project completed in 2010 after the bridge at the intersection of Makrona Street and Hira Street and the bridge on Old Makkah Road and Al-Jamia Street.

“There is no doubt that this tunnel will ease traffic flow in these roads to and from these roads and also in nearby neighborhoods. Also, as more of the road projects along this road are completed traffic will see more improvement in the city,” said Brig. Hamid Mohamed, assistant director of traffic in Jeddah.

Safa Projects and General Constructions Co. Assistant General Manager Mohammed Wafa said the underpass is well equipped with adequate drainage and a pumping station.

The Nov. 25 floods exposed problems with drainage at major underpasses.  “After 12 months the bridge’s maintenance work will be handed over to the municipality,” he added.