JEDDAH: The Jeddah municipality awarded an SR2.5-million contract to conduct viability studies on the construction of either a bridge or an underground tunnel between north and south Obhur in north Jeddah. A lagoon divides the northern side of Obhur from the city.
The study, which will be completed in 120 days, will include phased reports on the field survey, hydraulic investigation, soil tests, navigation permits and the design of the bridge.
“This comprehensive study will find out the best means to link south and north Obhur, including the option of a tunnel in the place of a bridge,” Ahmad Banafie, supervisor of municipal projects, told Arab News.
“The implementation of the project will play a major role in the development of the region by integrating major road networks,” said Banafie.
Ibrahim Kutubkhana, undersecretary for construction and projects at the municipality, said the proposal would play “a major role in the development of the region by integrating the major road networks.”
The land north of Obhur Creek is being developed as part of the greater Jeddah metropolitan area. The city’s natural growth runs along the coast rather than inland. North Jeddah is seeing most of the lucrative real estate developments. Many believe the road project would help raise property prices by reducing commuting time to and from the city.
While speaking on the municipal efforts to ease traffic on congested Jeddah roads, Banafie said traffic snags would disappear at several points soon as 10 new road and overpass projects will be commissioned before the year ends.
“The ongoing traffic projects in Jeddah have not come across any obstacles except the project at the intersection of Al-Rawdah Street with Prince Majed Street because of the difficulty to get the required power cables. Now the problem has been solved with substitute cables,” Banafie said.
