Alexandria’s Mahmoudia Axis, one of the most important national projects undertaken by the Armed Forces Engineering Authority, is in preparation for its opening in mid-2019, Invest-Gate reports.

However, the surrounding development areas of the 23-kilometer road project are set to be inaugurated by year-end, Transport Minister Kamel El Wazir said in a press statement on May 30, adding that total costs are estimated at EGP 5 bn.

Deemed the artery of hope for the port city’s traffic density, the new project is linked with 25 sub-axis, of which foundations of five bridges were built with a static steel-reinforced concrete structure, El Wazir noted, referring to Bashayer El Khair Bridge, which connects Mahmoudia Axis and International Coastal Road.

As part of its efforts to strengthen internal tourism at the site, the major axis will soon be complemented with the first service area, which will comprise a sports center, a football court, a swimming pool, and a service complex.

Apart from solving the problem of traffic congestion, the new road project is set to help in the formation of new industrial communities in low-density areas, raising all aspects of pollution, as well as, controlling and limiting the growth of informal settlements, the minister pointed out.

Thus, the development’s scope of work includes the establishment of a commercial economic zone for small-scale projects on both sides of the road, aiming to provide thousands of job opportunities, he elaborated.