JEDDAH, 19 March 2008 — Municipality contractors are starting work on a SR49-million bridge across the old Makkah Road that would cover intersections with both Iskan and Jameah streets, according to a municipality official.
Ahmad Banafa, general supervisor of municipal projects, said the bridge covers 1,200 meters of Makkah Road. “This project is one of many that aim to lessen traffic congestion in the city,” he said.
Banafa said that new bridges and underpasses have been scheduled for construction in many areas around Jeddah according to the need of each area.
The streets where the new bridge is being built are some of the most congested in the city. Banafa said that the municipality has placed a number of solutions for the intersections of the Makkah Road starting with the current bridge.
He said that the new project would be completed faster than previous ones as the contractors are using prefabricated concrete blocks that would help reduce construction time. He noted that contractors built detours to ensure smooth traffic flow during the construction.
Over the next five years, the municipality is expected to spend SR700 million on road improvements in the city. It is part of a boost in infrastructure development that the city has been given to cater for the rapidly growing population, he said.
