Jeddah will soon become a city connected by bridges and tunnels, said Mohammed Al-Buqami, Jeddah Municipality spokesman.

“The city is in the process of implementing several infrastructure projects to construct more new bridges and tunnels in various areas in order to smooth traffic flow,” he said.

“Bids to implement these projects have been referred to giant domestic and international construction firms.”

“There is a project currently being implemented between the King Abdulaziz Street and Ismail Abu Dawood intersection,” he said.

“We then have two important projects taking place between Prince Majid and Makkah streets and at the intersection between Palestine and Andalus streets worth almost SR512 million.”

Al-Buqami said that the latest King Abdulaziz and Ismail Abu Dawood project would represent a significant new addition to the road and transport network in Jeddah.

“The newest project consists mainly of a one-way overpass with two lanes that are 740 meters long and more than nine meters wide on King Abdulaziz Street.

The project is worth more than SR31 million, while the total value of the other two vital projects is estimated at SR197.5 million.”

“The project aims to ease traffic congestion in the area,” he said.

“The project also includes an two-way overpass that is 609 meters long and 26.4 meters wide with three lanes in each direction.”

He noted that there is a 36-month timeframe to complete the project.

The second project, he said, includes building a tunnel on the intersection between King Abdulaziz Street with Palestine and Hamra streets worth more than SR 314 million.

This will involve implementing a north-south tunnel all the way along King Abdulaziz Street spanning 1,400 meters.