The Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Taif has completed its initial feasibility study for the proposed King Abdullah Tunnel to connect the region of Taif with Makkah. Sources said that the study, conducted in collaboration with an engineering consultancy firm, cites an initial cost of SR850 million for the project, which involves an 8.7km two-way tunnel with three lanes in each direction. The whole project is to extend 11km with additional roads and bridges. Upon approval, the work is expected to take three years to complete, with the first steps being to carry out a more exhaustive study of the details, followed by the acquisition of financing and identifying a company to conduct the works through public competition. Proponents of the plan say the tunnel – which will extend from Al-Khalidiya in Taif to Nu'man on the outskirts of Makkah - will unite Taif and Makkah as “one city” and significantly boost the economy of the region. “It will greatly revive the real estate market in the Al-Hada area and encourage investment,” said Ahmad Al-Obaikan, chairman of the Taif Chamber's Real Estate Committee. “This will be big for both the economy and tourism, not just for Taif but the whole area,” added Adnan Younis, a marketing analyst. “It will take no more than 25 minutes from the tunnel to Makkah, rendering Taif closer to Makkah than Jeddah, and will give a boost to year
