KUWAIT: The Ministry of Public Works has observed and studied traffic flow and congestions on the Second and Third Ring Roads, as well as on Cairo and Damascus Streets , in order to place plans to accommodate the increase in car numbers expected up to the year 2030. Public Works Assistant Undersecretary for Road Engineering Affairs, Hussein Al-Mansour, said that the ministry had tasked Parsons Brinckerhoff International, in cooperation with the Gulf Consultants House, with placing a plan for preliminary and
final road redesigns. He explained that the two companies had placed a comprehensive traffic study and a preliminary design report for the project, and that this was submitted to the ministry in February 2009.

Al-Mansour noted that these plans were taken into account when working to redesign the Second and Third Ring Roads, where the speed limit was at 80 km/h and all lanes were being expanded to three instead of two in both directions, while taking into account the need for future public transportation means.

He added that all entrance and exits to the Second and Third Ring Roads had been revamped in line with new international standards, and areas along these roads were linked with three intersections regulated by traffic lights. The assistant undersecretary also noted that the level of the Second Ring Road would be lowered, and a service road would be laid between Hamra Street and the Ibn Abbas and Quraish Streets.

Moreover, he said work was underway to revamp Canada Dry Street to bring up its speed limit to 80 km/h and to make it into a three-lane road, adding that service lanes would be added to both sides of the street, as well as parking and bus stops. Two intersections regulated by traffic lights were also added.

As for Cairo Street, Al-Mansour said that it too would be expanded to three lanes. An underground tunnel will be dug in the area between Qadisiya Street and Kazma Street, as well as Hiteen Street and the entrance to Mutasim Street. Also, a service lane will be laid along the two sides of the tunnel.

Space for future mass transportation needs was also taken into account when working on Cairo Street, and all entrances and exits to the road have been improved, he said. Areas along Cairo Street were also linked with the addition of an intersection, thus facilitating the flow of traffic coming from Beirut Street to Istiqlal Street. - Kuwait Times

He also noted that two bridges would be built over the lower part of Cairo Street, to link Beirut Street with Istiqlal Street, and Cairo Street with Istiqlal Street. For Damascus Street, Al-Mansour said that this too would be expanded to three lanes and entrances and exits will be improved, while an intersection would be added.