$195m contracts for new highways

Saudi Arabia has signed contracts worth SR732 million ($195 million) for the construction of new highways.

Communications Minister Dr Nasir Al Salloum signed the contracts with several specialist national companies.

The contracts include the construction of a 340-km Hail-Jouf road and the extension of two-way roads between Rafha and Arar by 160 km, between Arar and Turaif by 90 km, and between Hafr Al-Baten and Majmaa by 100 km.

Al Salloum said allocations for the contract have been made in the current general budget, which has allocated SR2.075 billion for 93 road projects.

He said the ministry was reviewing tenders offered by various companies to construct two-way roads on the Houtat Bani Tameem-Aflaj-Wadi Al-Dawaser route and the coastal road linking Jeddah-Laith-Qunfuda and Jizan.

He said SR450 million have been allocated for the two projects.

Al Salloum announced recently the Kingdom's plan to establish a major highway linking Jordan on the north and Yemen in the south.

The ministry is also planning to renovate the old Jeddah-Makkah road in its bid to reduce pressure on the expressway.

Deal signed for master plan

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia has signed a deal with a British-Canadian venture to develop a master plan for the restoration of Wadi Hanifa in Riyadh region.

Riyadh deputy governor Prince Sattam signed the contract worth over SR7.64 million ($2.03 million) with Buro-Happold-Moriyama & Teshima for the project, local media reported.

The project belongs to Arriyadh Development Authority (ADA), whose officials were also present at the signing ceremony.

Situated southwest of Riyadh near the Diplomatic Quarter, Wadi Hanifa is rich in date plantations.

The master plan is to be completed by February next year. The next stage would involve calling for tenders for the restoration project, the report said.

Airport AC to be repaired

Jeddah: The civil aviation authority has awarded a SR5 million ($1.3 million) contract to a national company for the repair of the malfunctioning air-conditioning system at Jeddah airport.

The company is expected to complete installation work this month. Under the contract awarded by the Presidency of Civil Aviation, two main units and 13 ancillary units of the airport's air-conditioning system will be replaced, according to a report.