Hussein Hazazi Okaz/Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — The Jeddah Municipality is expected to open three key traffic and seafront projects, according to a senior municipality official. Muhammad Al-Baqami, spokesman at the municipality, said that the deadline set for the completion of the projects, including the iconic Bicycle Square (Darraja) flyover, is next month. “The Darraja flyover project at the intersection of King Fahd Road (Sitteen) and Al-Rawda Street should be completed in Shaaban after a 6-month extension was granted,” he said. The Bicycle roundabout, which was constructed 30 years ago, is one of the main landmarks in Jeddah. Work on the flyover project, costing SR82 million, is progressing well and the colossal bicycle model remains in its place. The flyover will measure 583 meters in length and 13.5 meters in width with three lanes in each direction. The municipality is using prefabricated bridge decks which can reduce construction time by up to 30 percent. The other two projects, also set to be completed by next month, are the new seafront project at Al-Saif Corniche in South Jeddah and the Dahban Sea Park project. The first phase of Al-Saif project consists of 3 km seafront covering a total area of 350,000 square meters. The project includes infrastructure, recreational facilities, greeneries, pedestrian passages, sunshades and children's playing area, in addition to public utilities and smart toilets. The project is estimated to cost more than SR70 million. The Dahban seafront consists of 4 km long extension of the North Corniche, spreading over a total area of 110,000 square meters. The SR38.3 million project will see the construction of a mosque, pedestrian passages, separate recreational and relaxing areas for families and youths, football ground, multipurpose playground, playground for children, sandy beach and a fishing area. There are a number of other traffic and development projects in Jeddah under various phases of implementation. They include tunnels at the intersection of Andalus Street with Palestine and Al-Hamra Streets, intersection at Prince Majed Street and Bani Malik Street, tunnels and flyovers at Prince Majed Street and Old Makkah Road, bridge at the intersection of Mahjar Street with Xenel and Television Streets, and bridge at the intersection of Mahjar Street and King Faisal Road (South Corniche). Scores of sculptures and fountains have been removed as part of the new traffic development projects in the city. More than a dozen sculptures have been moved to other locations. Meanwhile, the municipality will take penal action soon against a contractor for failing to complete a flyover project in the stipulated period of time. Al-Baqami said that the contractor will be fined for the delay in finishing the bridge project at the intersection of King Fahd Road and Heraa Street. The work under the bridge is yet to be completed and these are in violation of the provisions of the project contract as well as tender and purchase regulations, he added.
