Almost in each Jeddah district, the normal functioning of the streets is disrupted by either an ongoing sewage project, or a telephone or electricity job. Jeddah, once known for its neat and clean streets and roads, is now bearing the brunt of the contractors who are unable to finish their projects in time, and when they do, leave the street with a number of uncovered holes. “We moved to Al-Mohammadiya District recently as it is new and supposedly the most clean in Jeddah. Look at it now, contractors have demolished our street,” Aymen Ali, a Jeddah resident, laments. Traffic in Jeddah is fast becoming a crisis for everyone. The white lines in the middle of a street are to help maintain traffic flow but many streets do not have these lines due to the unending asphalt digging projects in the city. Meanwhile, the authorities do have a solution for the problem. “From now on, any contractor who doesn't stick to the safety instructions and the projects' time limit will be fined strictly,” said Ahmed Alghami, Director of Public Relations and Media Center in Jeddah Municipality. Alghamdi pointed out that some of the Saudi contractors are not very qualified but involve themselves in big projects not realizing the difficulties they may have to face in the completion of projects. They are usually stuck up and try to escape from their responsibility. Alghamdi added that contracts with two major Chinese companies are in the pipeline, dealing with works on Prince Majed Street to connect it with Old Makkah Road. He said that by 2011, projects on Prince Majed Street will be over and done with making it the main thoroughfare to King Abdul Aziz Airport instead of Al-Madina Road. Jeddah municipality has started solving asphalt defects after the construction projects.Ibraham Kutub Khanah, Deputy Mayor of Jeddah Municipality, explained that the municipality was paving the roads. He pointed that 700 spots have been detected and taken care of. __
