A bulldozer removes a wrecked vehicle during cleanup work along the bypass road in Khor Al-Zubair, Basra governorate, as part of efforts to reopen the route after 22 years.
Basra reopens Khor Al-Zubair bypass road after 22 years
BASRA — Authorities in Basra governorate on Saturday reopened the bypass road in Khor Al-Zubair, 22 years after it was closed following the arrival of British forces who took over the area’s security responsibilities. The vital route was inaugurated during an official ceremony attended by local officials.
Saleh Al-Eidani, director of the Khor Al-Zubair subdistrict, told 964media that the bypass road “extends for more than five kilometers and connects the Al-Kuria area near Al-Askariyeen Mosque with the Al-Asmidah area near Al-Zahraa Husseiniya.” He said the road “has become a strategic corridor that shortens distances and helps redirect traffic away from the congested industrial complex road.”
Youssef Al-Ibrahimi, head of the municipality department, said reopening the road “will create a qualitative improvement in the internal transport network, facilitating the movement of maintenance teams from the power distribution station to the Al-Bakr main station without detouring through narrow roads.” He added that the project “reduces travel distance by more than three kilometers and travel time by over 40%, while improving access for ambulances, school transport, and service vehicles.”
Authorities said additional work will continue on the road, including leveling damaged sections, repaving with new asphalt, and installing traffic warning and guidance signs. The improvements are part of a broader plan to upgrade infrastructure in the subdistrict.
