JEDDAH, 10 May 2005 — The wooden pedestrian bridge which connects Al-Rawda and Al-Faisaliya Districts just north of Al-Moraba bridge is in a state of disrepair. Long forgotten by maintenance and cleaning crews, it is however, much in the minds of “taggers”, who risk life and limb to spray paint or pencil-in their “tag” (message) high above traffic.
Providing a vital link for pedestrians and bicyclists above and across Madinah Road’s eight lanes of speeding freeway traffic, it can be credited with the preservation of countless lives.
An integral part of the commute for the hundreds that use it daily, the bridge is however in a state of serious disrepair.
The bridge span is littered with bags of rotting food, indicating that the bridge is a popular lunch spot for some. Empty cans and plastic bottles, some the same brand advertised on the bridge, litter the floor.
In one corner, a filthy baby stroller is stored for the day by one of several ladies who scavenge the dumpsters at the west side stairway.
Ironically, electoral candidate brochures are included in the rubbish pile despite the municipal elections having been over for almost three weeks
A walk up the steps on either side of the bridge reveals stairs that are either broken or loose and tend to shift with each step. The handrail is worn and in places splintered. Although the wooden plank walkway is in itself sturdy, the whole bridge sways with the wind as the large bridge-sized ads placed across it act as a sail, buffeting the bridge back and forth a few centimeters at each gust.
These billboard-sized ads placed across the bridge on both sides are held in place by strong scaffolding which provides perilous access to the bridge’s highest points. For the “tagger” who wants his or her “tag” read by thousands daily, these bridges have proven to be popular “advertising” spots. Pepsi and LG might agree.
Arab News visited the top of the wooden bridge and was also present from the ground to photograph the placement of a white teddy bear there.
Richard Underwood, an airline manager, said: “In Europe and America those parts of the bridge are inaccessible to the public. Vandals, thrill seekers, and just about anyone who puts their mind to it for whatever reason can climb up the bridge.
“Don’t forget, bridge bungee jumping is considered a sport in some parts of the world. For their own security, I think those that put the ads on the bridge should make sure no one can get up where they shouldn’t,” he added.
Two years ago a man took his own life by hanging himself from a similar bridge in Jeddah, as did another man who jumped into oncoming traffic.
One does not have to go to the top of the bridge to risk falling. The wooden siding is waist high, with no barrier to stop people from falling or objects from being thrown directly into traffic from above.
On weekday mornings and afternoons this particular bridge is used by dozens of school children as they make their daily commute. It is just a matter of time before one of them throws or drops something onto a car’s windshield.
Kids are sometimes thoughtless and the results can be dire, said Mowafaq Ameen, a nearby storekeeper.
Similar bridges in the US are completely enclosed from all sides, making falling off the bridge impossible. Only coin-sized items can fit through the spacing in the fence making their way down to traffic.
