DAMMAM, 7 February — Transport companies as well as the airline industry have welcomed the opening of a second lane to the highway linking King Fahd International Airport with downtown Dammam.
Since its opening, return journey from the new airport was longer by nearly 14 kilometers as motorists have to take a detour via the Abu Hadariyah Highway. The Ministry of Communications, realizing the hardship for commuters, immediately undertook the construction of a second lane via Ibn Khaldoun Street in Dammam.
Eastern Province Governor Prince Muhammad ibn Fahd instructed the concerned authorities to expedite the project and finish the construction work well before the scheduled date. By Friday they completed the final touches to the highway which was opened to traffic on Saturday by Othman Abdul Aziz Abahsain, director general at the Ministry of Communications in the Eastern Province.
The 25-kilometer stretch to the KFIA cost a total of SR182.7 million. The second lane alone cost SR98.3 million. The highway will reduce the distance for the return trip from the airport to the city center by 14 kilometers.
Transport companies say that it will drastically cut the cost of transportation to Greater Dammam and its adjoining areas. Mustafa Al-Shamrrany, owner of a transport company in Dammam, said the opening of second lane of the highway would not only cut the cost of transportation but also save time.
Limousine operators also welcomed the opening and said now the return trip to Dammam would be smoother as they could save time to make more trips.
However, residents feel that the authorities could make things easier if they constructed a fly-over at Ibn Khaldoun Street. From the stadium to the highway, there are nearly nine traffic signals and it is one of the busiest streets in Dammam. There used to be constant traffic jams on this street during office hours. Residents feel that a fly-over will allow smooth flow of traffic and commuters to the airport can avoid delays caused by red lights. (S.H.)
