Construction Ministry to Tackle Financial Hurdles Completing Five Vital Tigris Bridges in Baghdad

The Ministry of Construction, Housing, Municipalities, and Public Works is preparing plans to overcome financial challenges to complete five vital bridges over the Tigris in Baghdad, part of two packages to ease the capital's traffic. Engineer Nabil Al-Saffar, the Ministry's official spokesperson, confirmed that the first and second traffic relief packages include five major Tigris bridges. Among these is Ghazaa Bridge, at an advanced stage but awaiting release of remaining funds for completion, as well as Al-Jadriya, Al-Sarrafiya II, and Al-Karimat bridges. Al-Saffar added that projects also include connecting Al-Tabaqeen Bridge to the Suspension Bridge and the Green Zone, with all piers completed. Concrete girders are currently being installed in the Tigris, using specialized techniques implemented for the first time nationally. Only the final girder remains to complete the first 110-meter span. The spokesperson affirmed this project as vital infrastructure, directly linking the Karkh and Rusafa sides of the capital. It will significantly ease severe traffic congestion, especially at Al-Tabaqeen Bridge, Karrada, and surrounding areas. Al-Saffar stated delays stem from insufficient financial allocations, impacting their timeline. The Ministry is developing practical plans to confront these funding challenges impeding project completion, using available capabilities, due to the projects' critical importance for transportation. In the same context, the spokesperson stressed the Ministry completed most of 16 projects in the first and second traffic congestion packages, distributed across Baghdad's Karkh and Rusafa.