Economic Overview – Baghdad
The Department of Roads and Bridges, operating under the Ministry of Reconstruction and Housing, has announced that several significant infrastructure projects are set to commence in February. Highlights include the inauguration of the second Al-Sarafi Bridge and the completion of the link between Sarai Muhammad Al-Qasim and the canal. This initiative is expected to enhance accessibility for citizens and visitors traveling towards the holy city of Al-Kadhimiya, as it encompasses the construction of a critical caravan bridge along with its approaches and intersections on both sides of Rusafa and Karkh.
General Manager Hussein Jassim emphasized the continuous efforts of the ministry to alleviate traffic congestion, under the direct support of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani. Several projects included in the initial package—comprising tunnels, roads, bridges, and squares on either side of Karkh and Rusafa—have already been completed, paving the way for ongoing initiatives.
While progress continues on the remaining projects of the first package, the Minister of Construction and Housing has already launched a second package of initiatives. Notable among these is the Bartha Bridge, which is poised to open within an impressive timeframe of 100 days. Additionally, the upcoming second aerial bridge will complement the ongoing works on the parallel river bridge to the Al-Sarafi Bridge, both featured in the second package.
Other projects under development as part of the first package include a rapid-linking project between Muhammad Al-Qasim and the Army channel in the Rostma area. Additionally, the project connecting the existing infrastructure from the front of Al-Mashtal towards the Diyala Bridge is nearing completion and is expected to open within the next thirty days.
Plans are also in place to advance new projects within the first package, including the Rusafa intersection, aimed at resolving traffic congestion in the Al-Mashtal area. The completion of the Jerusalem intersection and the impending work on the court intersection (formerly known as the public security intersection) will further enhance traffic flow, including the construction of a major intersection at the entrance to the nursery.
February will mark the initiation of a significant project within the second package: the Al-Karayat Bridge. This bridge will play a pivotal role in transportation connectivity from Rusafa to the holy city of Kadhimiya, enabling smoother passage from the Al-Jaish channel and facilitating commuter access across the Tigris River near the Al-Karayat area, previously known as Justice Camp or the Fifth Division. The Prime Minister’s directive has been to repurpose this land toward becoming a tourist area that aligns with the spiritual environment of Kadhimiya.
Al-Karayat Bridge is expected to significantly ease traffic flows from Rusafa to Karkh towards Kadhimiya, providing a new route for pedestrians and relieving pressure on existing infrastructure, particularly during times of high visitor traffic. Connection with the end of Bab al-Imam Al-Jawad will link to Ocean Street, integrating designated parking facilities within Justice Camp to streamline visitor movement.
Kazem has also announced ongoing efforts to establish a crucial tunnel linking the suspended bridge to the two-storey bridge within the first package, known as Al-Hasanin Tunnel. This tunnel’s path will traverse Al-Karrada Street, enhancing traffic flow from Al-Hasanain Square to the intersection with the pool area. The corridor will play an important role for Karrada, a bustling commercial hub, while additional projects within the same route are planned under the second package, addressing key intersections from the pool area to Abdul Qader Al-Jazaery and the investigation square, ultimately connecting to Muhammad Al-Qasim Road.
Furthermore, plans indicate a strategic initiative to upgrade the intersections along Palestine Street, a major thoroughfare that traverses several areas within Rusafa and intersects with key districts of Baghdad. The modifications will be undertaken as per the ministry’s resource allocation.
Lastly, a forthcoming project will introduce the fourth cyclical road, complementing both the first and second package projects. Positioned on the outskirts of Baghdad, this road aims to alleviate traffic strain within the Al-Karkh and Al-Rusafa centers, shifting congestion away from the core of the city.
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