Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — Prince Mishaal Bin Majed, governor of Jeddah region, has directed the concerned government departments to strictly implement the plan aimed at easing traffic congestion and restricting entry of trucks inside the city. He instructed a specialized committee comprising representatives of more than 10 government departments and agencies to continuously coordinate efforts to remove any hurdles before the effective implementation of the directive. The governor's directive came as a follow-up of the decisions taken at a meeting held at the governorate on Dec. 30. At the meeting, Prince Mishaal approved the new traffic regulations and directed members of the committee to implement the first phase of the new traffic system from Jan. 19. Prince Mishaal asked all drivers to abide by the regulations and safety measures issued in this regard for their own safety as well as the safety of other road users. According to the governor's directive, the new regulations would consist of an urgent temporary phase and a permanent phase. The temporary phase includes limiting the entry time for water, gas, fuel, sewage and garbage trucks as well as food and animal transport vehicles into the city on weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon. The same timing will also apply to trucks carrying concrete mix and asphalt. Other cargo trucks, including those transporting equipment, timber and building materials can enter the city from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. On Thursday and Friday, all trucks will be allowed entry from 1 a.m. to 4 p.m. According to the governor's directives, trucks that try to enter the city precincts except during their allotted time would be stopped at the nearest designated site either inside the city or outside its main entrances. This will be done under the supervision of the General Administration for Roads and Transport in Makkah province and the Special Road Security Force. As part of efforts to regulate movement of trucks in the city, the governor directed the National Water Company to increase pumping hours at the drinking water distribution station at Briman and reduce pumping from the outlet in Faisaliyah district. The traffic police have been directed to intensify inspections to catch trucks violating the new regulations and to erect signboards showing the schedule at all entry points of the city. The traffic police were also asked to present statistical figures and other details of violators to the concerned authorities. Prince Mishaal has also directed the General Administration for Roads and Transport to make available of parking areas for trucks outside the entry points, as well as rest houses with all amenities for road users. The Jeddah Islamic Port Authority has been asked to regulate the entry and exit of trucks to avoid traffic congestions. The port authority has also been told to complete studies to regulate traffic movement at the port. The governor has instructed the traffic department in Jeddah to carry out, in cooperation with the transport committee at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, an all-out media campaign to raise awareness about the new regulations among truck drivers. The specialized committee will review pros and cons of the new regulations prior to implementing the permanent phase within the next three months in cooperation with the concerned government and private agencies.
