The project, which includes significant infrastructure
works, aims to reroute all types of vehicle traffic to and from Borg El Arab
International Airport, the North Coast, and new development zones, directly
linking them to the Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road.
El-Sherbiny said the initiative is part of a broader plan to
establish a comprehensive network of main roads in Alexandria, continuing the
ministry's efforts to complete vital infrastructure development, particularly
projects managed by the Central Agency for Reconstruction (CAR).
Major General Mahmoud Nassar, head of CAR, and Major General
Tariq Kamal Mowafi, head of the Executive Body for Central North Coast Reconstruction
Projects, jointly inspected the project's progress. They were accompanied by
the project's lead consultant, officials from the implementing agencies,
contractors, and consulting firms.
Nassar highlighted that the Western Arc will directly
connect Borg El Arab International Airport, the North Coast, and surrounding
industrial, logistical, and agricultural development areas to the
Alexandria-Cairo Desert Road. This link will then extend to the national
regional road network.
The project is also designed to alleviate traffic congestion
in Alexandria by connecting the desert road with Borg El Arab Airport and the
International Coastal Road, allowing traffic to and from the North Coast to
bypass Alexandria city proper.
The project involves constructing a 21-kilometer dual
carriageway, featuring six lanes in each direction, a central median, and
shoulders. It begins at kilometer 40 on the Alexandria-Cairo Desert Road,
passing Borg El Arab International Airport, Borg El Arab Industrial City, and
the International Coastal Road.
Key structures within the project include four flyovers, two
bridges over the high-speed rail line, and five surface bridges crossing canals
and drains. Additionally, a 2.3-kilometer section of the Palestine drain will
be covered. To expedite completion, the project has been divided into three
sectors, with national companies working concurrently.
Nassar noted that this extensive project required extensive
coordination with various utility authorities (electricity, water, sanitation,
roads, and telecommunications) to relocate and divert conflicting utility lines
during construction.
Mowafi emphasized that CAR's ongoing road projects in
Alexandria align with the government's vision to enhance Alexandria's global
tourism appeal. This new road network aims to reduce pressure on older routes,
improve traffic flow, and connect the city with its new urban extensions to the
east and west.
At the conclusion of his visit, Nassar underscored the importance of accelerating work to ensure timely completion of the project.