Jeddah Municipality will launch four projects worth about SR560 million to ease the traffic flow on choked streets of the city. The projects, to be launched in the next few months, would eventually give a breathing space to thousands of motorists experiencing traffic jams virtually at every intersection and major roads. “The projects will contribute greatly to solve the traffic problems and also its negative effects on all spheres of life in the city,” Ahmad Ba-Nafe'e, supervisor general of the municipality's projects department said. The first project comprises of a tunnel under the intersection of Prince Majed and Palestine streets. The Egyptian Arab Contractors Company has been contacted to build the tunnel at a cost of SR123 million, Ba-Nafe'e said. The second project will be at the intersection of Prince Majed Street with Abdullah Al-Suleiman Street by building a tunnel under Ba-Khashab Street. The SR113 million project will be carried out by Chinjubc Company. The Saudi Huhtaheger Field Company has been assigned to build a bridge and a tunnel at the intersection of Prince Majed Street with Prince Muhammad Bin Abdul Aziz Street. The project is worth SR137 million. Ba-Nafe'e said the fourth project is a bridge at the intersection of Prince Majed Street with Sari Street. The SR179 million project has again gone to the Saudi Huhtaheger Field Company. The projects have been drawn up to meet the requirements of escalating population growth standing now at three million people, he said. The problems of transport would be effectively dealt with in the Bride of the Red Sea, he said “once the projects are over,” Ba-Nafe'e hoped. The growth in population, expected to touch the 10-million mark in the next couple of years, have been taken into consideration in opting for the projects, he said. Ba-Nafe'e further added that the projects aim to accommodate the continued increase in vehicles plying on the streets. The projects would also go a long way to promote and develop tourism, he said. __
