Over 70 percent of the new SR26 billion dual track projects in various parts of the Kingdom has been completed, said Undersecretary at the Ministry of Transportation for Roads Abdullah Al-Meqbl. He said the 10,000-km-long roads would be opened for traffic soon. The total 24,000-km-long project is expected to be finished in two years. Al-Megbl said among the projects finished for traffic is the 180-km double track linking Taif and Baha. This road will be opened next month. This is in addition to Al-Kar-Al-Hada Road, and the Costal Road connecting Jeddah and Jizan. A major section of the dual track linking Tabuk and Madina is opened for traffic and the remaining part, which covers a distance of 300 km, will be constructed next year, he said. The length of the existing paved road network in the Kingdom is now over 45,000 kilometers. The budget for the fiscal year 2008 allotted to the transportation and telecommunications SR16.4 billion. The allocations include financing of new projects and additions to previously approved projects of roads, ports and railway lines, airports, and postal services at an estimated cost of over SR14.6 billion. Roads totaling 7,300 kilometers are to be added at an estimated cost of SR7.9 billion including highways, ring roads and maintenance of existing road network. Design and studies of new roads at a length of over 2200 km will be accomplished. This will be added to the 24,000 kilometers of roads currently under construction. – Okaz __
