JEDDAH, 2 July 2007 — Plans have been made to construct a tunnel between Hada and Kar in Taif at a cost of SR2 billion. The project will reduce the distance between Taif and Makkah to 11 km.
Makkah Governor Prince Khaled Al-Faisal has instructed Taif Tourism & Investment Company (TTIC) to conduct a feasibility study on the tunnel, which will be named after King Abdullah.
“We’ll start carrying out the project soon after completing the feasibility study,” said Abdul Rahman Al-Qoraie, chairman of the company’s board of directors.
The company has already prepared the tunnel’s design with the help of a German company. Al-Qoraie said the tunnel would boost the flow of tourists to Taif, one of the premier tourist centers in the Kingdom.
“The tunnel will reduce the travel time between Taif and Makkah by 30 minutes and Taif will become closer to the holy city compared to Jeddah,” he added.
At present travel between the two cities takes nearly 90 minutes.
Taiseer Khaleel Al-Dhabit, managing director of the company, said they have already informed the Transport Company about the project.
The two-way tunnel with three lines on each side will be established following the latest safety standards, Al-Dhabit said. It will also have emergency exits.
“The project was the brainchild of TTIC and will cost SR2 billion,” the managing director said. “Governor Prince Khaled was impressed when we presented him the project,” he pointed out. Once the tunnel project is finalized, tenders will be called to carry out the project, he said.
Al-Dhabit emphasized the project’s economic feasibility as nearly one million cars move between Taif and Makkah every month and about 700 vehicles pass by the Sail Road every day.
“We believe that the number of vehicles moving between the two cities will increase dramatically after the establishment of the tunnel as people would find it safer and more comfortable,” he added.
Taif, which is known for its salubrious climate and enchanting natural beauty, draws more than two million tourists and holidaymakers every year.
The annual Taif tourism festival will be opened on Sunday by Makkah Governor Prince Khaled. The festival includes a large number of attractive programs for families, young men and women and children. “We have completed all preparations to receive tourists,” said Taif Governor and Chairman of the Tourism Promotion Committee Fahd ibn Muammar.
The historic Okaz Souk festival would be held this year for the first time after several years, said Dr. Muhammad Al-Sayyed, executive director for tourism. An air show will also be organized by the Aviation Club as part of the festivities. “Previous tourism festivals were successful,” he added.
Authorities have set up a number of tourist centers manned by young Saudis in various parts of the city to provide guidance to tourists and distribute booklets and maps of Taif and its resorts, and provide information about its hotels, recreation centers, gardens, restaurants and furnished villas.
