DAMMAM – The Eastern Province Mayoralty has allocated SR1.1 billion for several municipal projects. These include 62 projects for roads, drainage, public utility, and beautification, besides those for carrying out design work in Dammam and other cities and towns in the region, the Saudi Press Agency reported Thursday. Mayor Daifullah Al-Otaibi said that preparations are underway to implement these projects within a stipulated period of time. “These projects are aimed at making available highly advanced facilities and the best possible services for both Saudis and foreigners,” he said. According to Al-Otaibi, a total of SR231 million has been earmarked for asphalting, lighting and pavement work while another SR250 million was allocated for construction of bridges, tunnels and intersections, and SR40 million for upgrading urban districts. The Mayoralty has approved SR80 million for the construction of its new building, and another SR44 million for the construction of branch municipality buildings and their utility projects in Al-Khobar north, Half-Moon Beach, Taiba in west Dammam, and Corniche in central Dammam besides municipal utility projects in the field of health environment. Al-Otaibi said the allocations also included SR27 million for modification of entry points of the cities, SR30 million each for upgrading streets, and construction of squares and modifying intersections of bridges, SR10 million for implementing smart traffic systems and SR8 million for the construction of pedestrian crossings. He said a total of SR300 million was earmarked for rainwater drainage projects. Other allocations included SR26 million for refurbishing seafront, gardens, and parks, SR10 million for the completion of seafront project, and SR8 million each for refurbishing Half-Moon Beach and the Eastern Province Corniche. A total of SR40 million was set aside for carrying out studies on smooth flow of traffic as well as planning, environment, gardens and parks, in addition to SR5 million for the construction and renovation of the second phase of the project for public toilets in various cities in the region. – SG
