MAKKAH – The closure of a damaged bridge in Jamoom after it was hit by a truck has affected motorists and residents of the governorate, who are now forced to take a detour through a floodpath to reach the city and its surrounding villages. Residents have urged the authorities, especially the Transport Ministry, to repair the bridge quickly before the rainy season when they would not be able to use the narrow flood-path. The suffering of residents of about 40 villages in the Jamoom governorate, which is located north of Makkah, began two months ago when a truck rammed into the bridge. The traffic through the narrow flood-path was causing long delay in people reaching their work places and children in schools. Residents wonder what measures the four-member committee including representatives from the Transport Ministry, Traffic Department, Jamoom Municipality and Highway Police has taken to tackle the problem following the damage caused to the bridge. "The authorities have so far failed to take any action to solve the problem faced by Jamoom's people as a result of the closure of an important bridge that links them with the outside world," said Fawaz Al-Maqati while speaking to Okaz/Saudi Gazette. "People are now forced to use the flood-path where hundreds of vehicles stand in queue during peak hours," Al-Maqati said, adding that large trucks coming from Madinah and Briman cause traffic congestion. He stressed the need to set up a traffic light in the area to control the flow of vehicles. Mansour Al-Rouqi emphasized the role played by Jamoom Bridge in facilitating the life of people in north Jamoom villages. "It's an artery used by residents for decades." The closure of the bridge has increased the time for reaching a Jamoom village from a few minutes to more than half an hour. Al-Rouqi called upon the four-member committee to solve the difficulties being faced by Jamoom residents as a result of the bridge's closure and provide alternatives. Sultan Al-Maabadi spoke about the danger posed by the use of floodpath as a detour, especially when the rainy season is closeby. "It's the path of floods that come from Hada Al-Sham and Gurayat. Sometimes, the floodwaters used to have a height of two meters." He urged the authorities to repair the bridge quickly before rains start.. "Heavy vehicles of Civil Defense, municipality and companies will be unable to cross the floodpath in case it rains."
