Al-Sudani Initiates Projects to Ease Traffic Congestion at Al-Nusour Square and Al-Rustamiyeh in Baghdad

INA-  Baghdad


Media Office of the Prime Minister stated in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency INA that this morning, Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani announced the commencement of the Al-Nisour Square expansion project in central Baghdad. The initiative is a part of the government's efforts to alleviate traffic congestion in the capital.

The statement added that A Chinese company is executing the project that involves designing, implementing, and developing the project of Al-Nusour Square expansion. This includes constructing three underpass tunnels and two overpass bridges.

Al-Sudani also launched a project to connect Mohammed Al-Qasim Expressway with Army Canal Road via teleconference meeting with the team in charge. This involves building bridges from the Al-Rustamiya side and expanding roads along the Army Canal.

The statement also added that the Prime Minister emphasized the government's commitment from the outset to take tangible actions to improve citizens' living conditions, and healthcare needs. Services in Baghdad, particularly addressing the long-standing traffic congestion problem, are a top priority. Adequate financial allocations are available in the three-year federal budget.

In this concern the prime minister clarified that such projects aiming to alleviate traffic congestions are implemented for the first time in Baghdad. He highlighted the forthcoming benefits and emphasized the inclusion of underpass tunnels and overpass bridges. Addressing map-related challenges demands unified efforts from all state institutions to devise effective solutions that do not compromise service quality or project timeline.

The statement continued that Al-Sudani instructed adherence to contract timelines, designs, and specifications for the project, in a manner that is befitting Baghdad's stature. He emphasized the importance of providing alternative routes during the time of road construction.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the Traffic Department will be responsible for managing traffic flow, while ongoing supervision by the Ministry of Construction and Housing, Baghdad Municipality, the executing company, and on-site security services will assess work requirements.

The statement clarified that Al-Nusour Square expansion project encompasses three underpass tunnels. One, spanning 490m, connects Jordan Street to Al-Qadisiyah Street. Another, 535m long, links Yafa Street and Beirut Street. The third tunnel, 1035m in length and excavated 16m below ground level, connects Beirut Street and Yafa Street. The project also features an 890m Al-Nusour overpass Bridge, connecting Damascus Street and Mohammad Mahdi Al-Jawahiri Street, along with two approach bridges (300m each). Additionally, a 478m overpass bridge over the railway line connecting Qahtan Square to the Umm al-Tabul intersection, complemented by road widening around the sites.

It also added that Al Rustamiya project involves a 400m overpass bridge connecting Mohammad Al-Qasim Expressway and the Army Canal Road. It also includes constructing 4 overpass bridge turns along the Army Canal Road for seamless transitions across the canal. Furthermore, the project entails expanding the road on both sides of the canal, creating a three-lane main road.