Jeddah: The largest sea bridge for tourism in Saudi Arabia has opened for traffic. The ‘Shura’ bridge is part of the Red Sea Tourism project. The bridge connects the mainland with an island important in the Red Sea tourism region. The construction was done by Redsea Development Company. The bridge will play a major role in speeding up the construction of the island’s 11 resorts and several alternative accommodation facilities there.
The bridge is 3.3 square kilometers long. Redsea Company CEO John Pagano explained that this bridge is a path that leads tourists to the tourist center through a beautiful landscape rich in various types of vegetation.
The bridge has dedicated tracks for electric cars and bicycles and a pedestrian walkway along the sea. The CEO stated that this is a leap towards comprehensive sustainable development.
The bridge has been designed keeping in mind the natural environment of the area including coral reefs and mangroves. The construction work was done while protecting the nature. The CEO said that the ‘Shura’ bridge is a great proof that real estate developers can implement large construction projects in an environmentally friendly manner.
The bridge will be beautified through various landscaping works. He added that within the framework of environmental protection, natural lights are used on the bridge.
On July 31, 2017, Saudi Crown Prince Amir Mohammed bin Salman announced the Red Sea Tourism Project. The total area of the project is 34,000 sq km. It consists of more than 90 natural islands between Umlaj and Alwaj areas. Efforts are underway to convert these islands into tourist centers and welcome tourists.
The first hotel on the island is planned to open by the end of this year. The 16 hotels planned in the first phase will also open by the end of next year. The Red Sea Tourism project will include 50 hotels with up to 8,000 rooms, more than 1,000 residential units, a luxury seaside resort and other tourist attractions on the Red Sea when the project is completed in 2030.