The Jeddah Mayoralty has launched work on a SR79-million bridge at the intersection of Sari Street and Prince Majed Street. The project will be completed within 18 months, Eng. Saeed Bafuhaid, Director General of Overpasses and Tunnels at the Mayor's Office, told Saudi Gazette. The official said the bridge will consist of three tracks and that each side will be three meters in width running north to south. The new bridge, Bafuhaid said, is part of the mayoralty's plan to ease traffic congestion on main streets in the city. Obviously, the official said, during the execution of the project, traffic on adjoining roads will be affected, but “the contracting company has been asked to remove all hindrances in the flow of traffic by using side roads on both sides”. In cooperation with the traffic department, the mayoralty has put up the required signboards showing the diversion of traffic and other guidelines for motorists. The construction will continue in such a way that it will not interfere with traffic, said Bafuhaid. Large trailers shall be allowed to pass the affected areas only after midnight, the official added. An east-west underpass is under construction at the intersection of Prince Muhammad Bin Abdul Aziz Road (formerly Al-Tahliya Street) with Prince Majed Street. The former ‘Maidan Tayyara' roundabout on Prince Majed Street will also have an underpass which shall be connected with the new bridge at the intersection of Sari Street with Prince Majed Street. Sitteen Street's Gharnata overpass is 800 meters long and 23 meters wide with three lanes in both directions – north and south. Al-Tahliya overpass is 470 meters long and 29 meters wide, also with three lanes in each direction. The covered part of the tunnel is 111 meters long, Bafuhaid said. He added that improvements in pavements, lighting and asphalting will be made in the area between the two projects.
