JEDDAH — Mayor Hani Abu Ras announced Jeddah completed 24 tunnel projects in the past four and a half years and that a public transportation system is expected to be completed in seven years. He said Jeddah has a high profile at international and Islamic levels. Abu Ras said: “Jeddah is one of the busiest trade cities in the world and is the entrance to the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah. “We are currently setting the city's strategic development plan of 2033 and we are taking into consideration the general public's suggestions and complaints.” He also said the municipality has received over 2,300 complaints and suggestions from the general public. “The strategic plan is divided into four phases and each phase is five years long. “The plan looks into developing the city's national and regional services. “The plan includes a new coastal front adjacent to the one constructed in 2013 and more tunnel and infrastructure projects.” He added the new coastal front of Jeddah will involve the development of the northern and southern parts of the Corniche and will have a budget of SR1.28 billion. “The North Corniche project is going according to plan and we will even add a tram in it as part of the public transportation plan. “As for the South Corniche project, it is almost complete with the Dhahban Park open for the public. The South Corniche project is 3 km long.” He also said Asfan Industrial City will have a workshops quarter where all light labor workshops will be situated. He said: “The workshops quarter will solve the problem of random workshops in residential areas and will provide an appealing northern entrance to Jeddah. “The Asfan project has a total area of 5 million sq. meters.” He added the governorate has allocated SR46 million to the public transportation project. “It is one of our most important projects that will be fully functional in seven years. “By 2020, we would have completed the transportation system and its infrastructure and within 20 years the service will reduce traffic congestion by 30 percent in Jeddah.” He also said Jeddah will be completing its 25th tunnel project next month. The governorate is also opening new public parks every week, he added.
