Underpass at Falak Square to ease traffic

Underpass at Falak Square to ease traffic

The mayor of Jeddah, Hani Abu Ras, signed a contract with a Chinese company on Wednesday, to build an underpass at Falak Square where King Fahd Road intersects with Sari Street.

The SR87.89 million project will have to be completed in 24 months. It includes the construction of a 750-meter-long and 13.5-meter-wide tunnel, passing under Falak Square, without damaging the monument at the center of the square. The tunnel will contain two carriageways, with three lanes each. The contract will also cover improvement of side roads to ensure the flow of traffic during the construction work.

The underpass is one of the ongoing municipal projects aimed at improving roads and intersections to reduce crowding and traffic bottlenecks currently experienced in the city, Saudi Press Agency reported Wednesday.

The intersection serves industrial projects and residents in the districts of Al-Faisaliya, Bawadi and Rabwah.

Excessive traffic will be diverted from King Fahd Road to Maad Al-Sinaei intersection in the direction of Madinah Road and to Quraysh and Makarona roads.

The tunnels would be split under Falak Square, so the foundation of the monument would not be damaged. The project would also take into consideration the plans for future public transportation systems. The Ministry of Transport is considering to provide a tram service.