KUWAIT: The ministry of public works said yesterday that it plans to resolve the traffic crisis in the country through implementing 72 road projects, some of which are already underway or completed. The ministry's assistant undersecretary for road engineering Ahmad Al-Hassan said that 24 of the projects are already underway, four have been completed and as many as 15 others have been offered in a public tender.

Speaking after briefing the National Assembly's public utilities committee, Hassan said the pace of implementing these projects depends on the availability of financing. He said the ministry's plans are based on boosting the capacity of existing roads, replacing traffic signals with bridges and developing major intersections throughout the country. Hassan however said that if the necessary funds are provided, the projects will be implemented gradually between this year and 2025.

The ministry has recently signed a project to develop Nuwaiseeb Road, adding that there are at least two more contracts to develop Cairo Street and roads in South Surra. Many other contracts are in the pipeline. The official also said that an agreement to develop the Fourth Ring Road has been signed with international and local consultants, adding that the design phase will take two years before inviting tenders.

By B Izzak