Dr. Hani Abu Ras, Mayor of Jeddah, cuts the ribbon to launch the bridge at the intersection of Prince Majed Road and Sari Street, Saturday. — SG photo by Mohannad Sharawi By Mohannad Sharawi Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — A new SR70 million bridge at the intersection of Prince Majed Road and Sari Street was opened here Saturday. The bridge is expected to significantly reduce traffic jams in the area. It was officially opened by Dr. Hani Abu Ras, Mayor of Jeddah, and Gen. Mohammad Hussein Al-Qahtani, Director General of the Jeddah Traffic Department. The bridge has three lanes on each side and leads off into Sari Street. Al-Qahtani said that he expects Prince Majed Road to have free-flowing traffic from the north to the south, with the use of bridges and tunnels at its main intersections. In response to a question from the Saudi Gazette about whether Saher will be installed at the new bridge, Al-Qahtani would only say that Saher, with the assistance of patrol vehicles, is operational everywhere. According to Abu Ras, there are two other projects in the area, worth a total of SR171 million, that have been awarded to contractors to further reduce traffic problems. Abu Ras added that other projects will be completed soon. This includes the project at the intersection of Prince Majed Road and Palestine Street. More tunnels and bridges will be built on Prince Majed Road at a cost of about SR600 million. Abu Ras said all projects are undertaken only after careful study. It is expected that the ongoing projects will help in ensuring a smooth flow of the more than six million vehicles in the city. Jeddah's population is expected to grow to five million in a few years. __
