KUWAIT: The Ministry of Public Works (MPW) is set to open the first stage of the First Ring Road project within the next few days , when it officially inaugurates the bridge extending from the road's junction with the Riyadh Road leading towards the Jamaal Abdul-Nasser roads, as well as the bridge opposite the Palace of Justice.

The plan was confirmed by MPW Undersecretary Abdulaziz Al-Klaib, who further revealed that the ministry is currently awaiting bids from contractors for the major project's second phase.

The First Ring Road development project is one of the major infrastructure projects carried out by the MPW as part of its plans to reduce traffic congestion on Kuwait's streets. The project, launched in May 2008 with the total cost to date estimated at KD28 million, aims to achieve a smoother flow of traffic in Kuwait City where regular tailbacks often lead to major congestion, especially during rush hour periods.

Al-Klaib also announced that the MPW is currently preparing to sign contracts for upgrading work on four main roads, including the second and third ring roads. The MPW also recently completed studies to reassess the state's road network and to draw up future improvement plans to find radical solutions to the state's congestion problem, according to a separate report that quoted another senior ministry official.

The ministry aims to ensure smoother traffic on Kuwait's roads through plans that take into account the increasing population, growing construction levels and increasing number of vehicles", said Assistant Undersecretary for Road Engineering Hussein Al-Mansour, who indicated that studies are underway to improve the fourth, third and second ring road, as well as the western part of the Fifth Ring Road, in addition to the Damascus and Cairo Roads, while also working on the construction of the Eighth Ring Road. - kuwaittimes