Sheikh Jaber Sea Bridge connects Kuwait with its future development

Nadia Al Dabbas - Kuwait

The Sheikh Jaber Bridge, which has officially begun to receive its passengers, is not only the fourth longest sea bridge in the world, connecting only two geographical regions, but its real importance is that it will represent a gateway to the future and a cornerstone for the future. , Within the vision of "New Kuwait 2035" seeking to turn the country into a global financial and commercial center.

The bridge, which opened in the presence of the Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, will reach the city of Al-Sabia (or the future city of Silk), paving the way for the establishment and reconstruction of the northern region of the country awaiting investment plans. About 90% of the country's income.

The first phase will include the development of the northern region through the establishment of a regional trade zone in the port of Mubarak Al-Kabir, a logistics area for goods, an international airport and railways, as well as the establishment of an industrial zone for small and medium enterprises, not to mention On the population cities where work has already begun.

Korean company Hyundai and its local partner, the Joint Group, have been carrying out construction work for the bridge over the past five years. South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nakion was a keynote speaker at the opening ceremony today.

The Sheikh Jaber Bridge, which began in 2013, shortens the distance between Kuwait City and Al-Sabia City to less than a third. The current length of the road is 104 kilometers. The driver cuts it between the two cities. In other words, the bridge shortens the time from an hour and a half to less than 25 minutes.

According to the project manager, the bridge is 36 km long. This is for the youth link between the cities of Kuwait and the boys. If the Doha link between Kuwait City and the Doha area is added, the total length of the bridge will reach 48 km.

Three lanes
In an interview with Al Jazeera Net, Al-Massaad added that the bridge, which cost about KD 750 million (about $ 2.5 billion), includes three lanes in each direction with an emergency lane on each side. 120 meters, and the height (navigational space) is 23 meters from the highest sea level, which allows the passage of ships heading to the port of Doha.

Mas'ad also says that the navigational opening is characteristic and takes the form of a sail and represents the icon of the Sheikh Jaber Bridge. The sail height is 120 meters from the roof of the bridge.

The Sheikh Jaber Bridge contains two artificial islands. The first is the southern island, four kilometers from the port of Shuwaikh in Kuwait City, and the other is the northern island, which is about eight kilometers away from the city of Sabia.

Masaad explained that the two islands are identical in size, each with an area of ​​300 thousand square meters. The purpose of their construction is to include the service buildings of the government departments concerned with the operation and operation of the bridge, as well as points of wrapping that allow the driver to move to the other direction.

In addition, each island contains a marina for boats designated for the concerned government agencies, as well as each of them include areas dedicated to investment in the future, and Almassad that work is currently underway to coordinate with businessmen and to discuss how to go to invest in these islands and the exploitation of their distinctive places, .

In the past, Kuwait was linked to its northern region and Al-Jarar Iraq by Abdali Road, Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Road. These areas were not sufficiently exploited, before they were included in the development plan and were on date with future mega projects.

According to the former Minister of Commerce and Industry d. Yousef Al Ali, the northern region has a promising future, and the best proof of this is the rotation of the wheel of the construction of the city of Al-Mutlaa residential, which started in full swing.

Nature reserves
Al-Ali told Al-Jazeera Net that along with Mubarak Port, there will be several nature reserves and huge areas, in addition to the activity of the companies that started developing the northern oil fields, all of which need to be linked with Kuwait City to enhance the movement in general.

The Sheikh Jaber Bridge was the first phase of the development of the northern region. It was part of a long-term strategic vision whereby once the area was developed, lines of communication were available.

Transport is one of the most important factors in achieving any desired development. Giant bridges are an important sign in reducing traffic congestion and reducing transport costs, Mitham the person.

In the view of the person - in an interview for the island Net - that the increase of labor movement and mobility, in addition to the geographical advantage of some areas to be part of the ports and another part as a free market, will reflect positively on the economy, which will have a variety of revenue, as well as the most important is to curb dependence on oil in Kuwait.

He added that this giant project will not only be devoted to the traffic and traffic congestion, but also to the transportation of goods coming from and from Kuwait. The basis of development is that the connection between China and Asian countries to European countries via Kuwait needs infrastructure, .

He explained that this bridge will contribute to accelerating the pace of transport of goods from the port of Mubarak, so linking an important part of Kuwait - represented in the future future ports - in the other areas and also the land ports with Saudi Arabia and Iraq will enhance the absorptive capacity of Kuwait, and thus benefit from these areas, Economy of the country.