Works on the third phase, underwhich the second and the third levels of Jamrat Bridge in Mina are being constructed, is in full swing and will be completed before next Haj.

Dr. Habib Zainul Abideen, deputy minister of municipal and rural affairs, said that the second sage of the bridge project was more than 60% complete, including the second story and three exits and entrances. Once completed the multi level bridge can accommodate 400,000 pilgrims per hour. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz launched the project, which costs a total of SR 4.2 billion.

The new bridge is designed to hold more than three million pilgrims at peak hours. The bridge, with four floors apart from the ground floor, will have electronic stairs, 12 entrances and 12 exits and will be linked with tents by bridges.

Speaking to the Haj & Umrah magazine, Dr. Habib Zainul Abideen said that the work on the bridge is progressing throughout day and night and expected that the work will begin on setting up of the columns of the third storey before the next season. "The number of pilgrims continues to increase but there will no longer be congestions because of a number of exit and entry points and the additional levels, which will facilitate access to the bridge and the Jamrat area," he said adding that the number of exits to various levels of the bridge will be increased to 11 after the end of the project and they will be connected to the mountains near the Jamrat.

He also noted that there will be escalators for use to reach the upper levels of the bridge. Moreover, the flow of pedestrians in the area will be separated from the flow of vehicles.

HA/ IINA