Closure of 2 major intersections puts pedestrians at a crossroads

The intersections of Al-Andalus Road with Al-Hamra Street and Al-Andalus Road with Palestine Street were closed to east and westbound traffic last weekend much to the delight of motorists and horror of pedestrians.
Previously at peak traffic times, motorists headed south on Al-Andalus Road from the Tahlia Street roundabout would get stuck at both traffic lights at Al-Hamra Street and Palestine Street for up to 25 minutes, the back up from the lights extending as far as 750 meters.
Although it was a nightmare situation for motorists, it allowed pedestrians to cross safely east and west.
Now motorists zip by the two intersections at 90 km per hour, forcing pedestrians to run for their lives.
Motassem Abdulshafi, a 32-year-old Palestinian cafeteria manager and caterer, said: “Before it would take me about 35 to 40 minutes to get from Saudia City to the port.
“Then on Saturday morning, I noticed from far away that there was no back up at all at Al-Hamra Street.
“Then when I got closer I saw that the intersections had been closed.
“What used to take me 45 minutes now takes me less than seven.
“I’m sure I’m not the only one who is very pleased about this.”
Another motorist, Iqbal Hussein Khan, a 54-year-old Pakistani driver employed by a Saudi family, said the closure of the intersections led to him saying a prayer for whoever was behind the decision.
He added: “That person is a visionary who saw a huge problem and found a simple solution.
“I say a blessing for him every time I drive past there now. This was a huge headache that is now gone.”
However, for pedestrians, the closure of the two intersections has created a nightmare situation that could turn fatal with pedestrians now having to dart across eight lanes of high-speed traffic with no pedestrian crossing or bridge anywhere in sight to safely reach the other side.
As Arab News looked on, on Monday afternoon, no less than 30 pedestrians ran across Al-Andalus Road within three minutes.
Men, women, children and the elderly were forced to make a mad dash across as horns blared.
Arnie Baltar, a 27-year-old restaurant waiter from the Philippines, said: “This is dangerous, and someone is going to get killed. It’s just a matter of time.”
One traffic policeman, who spoke to Arab News anonymously because he was not authorized to speak publicly, sat in his patrol car at the corner of Palestine Street and Al-Andalus Street watching.
When asked if he had seen anyone almost get run over, he said he had seen a few close calls.
He said: “But you can’t blame that on the intersections being closed.
“People will cross wherever they want. They always did and they always will.
“And even if there is a pedestrian bridge, they won’t use it. Besides, if it is their time (to die), then it is their time.”
Arab News contacted the Jeddah Traffic Police and the Jeddah Municipality to find out if the closure was only for the summer or permanent, part of the major roads and infrastructure changes ongoing in that area that hopefully would include the construction of pedestrian bridges. No one at either department knew.