New tunnel on Shmeisani junction to be opened before Eid

Once these works are completed, he said, the tunnel will be opened for public traffic before Eid Al-Fitr holidays.

Finishing works is part of the second phase of the project, estimated at JD3.6 million, and include re-building part of the old tunnel for about 140 meters, renovating its ceiling to finish building the new bridge that links Queen Noor Street with the Fourth Circle.

Mas'ad said that the second phase of the project is "a crucial one" since it includes all the concrete works and basements of the two bridges. He noted that works commenced on building the new bridge on Queen Noor Street, from the northern side, at total cost of JD22m.

He said the current traffic jams in Shmeisani, which were caused by the detours set by GAM, will vanish once the second phase is concluded. Mis'ad noted that new detours will be situated around the project to ease heavy influx of traffic at the area.

In the same context, Mas'ad said that the next phase of the project will last for six months, and includes the construction of concrete basements to complete the two new bridges; one serves Suleiman Nabulsi Street and the other for Queen Noor Street.

Works continue on building a small bridge to serve drivers heading from the Fourth Circle toward Suleiman Nabulsi Street. The whole project is expected to be concluded in October 2010, to coincide with the completion of Jabal Arafat Junction project.

In addition, Shmeisani project includes the building of a flanking street on the Ministry of Industry and Trade Junction, to enable drivers who come from Abdali to go back to Queen Noor Street. There will also be a new rainwater drainage network to serve the project, as well as lighting for tunnels, bridges and circles. Besides, GAM will commence beautification and supplementary works once the construction is finished.

It is worth mentioning that the Municipality has concluded all the concrete works for the first phase in Shmeisani Junction project, which included a new tunnel branching out from the current one, and steers towards Al-Ameen Street and Ministry of Industry and Trade Street.