Green Zone traffic eased
Al-Qadisiyah bridge turnaround closed
BAGHDAD, 21 January – In Baghdad’s Green Zone, the security authorities have implemented several measures to alleviate traffic congestion along the Al-Qadisiyah Expressway. This busy stretch, starting from the Amman Interchange and extending to the Baghdad International Airport Expressway, has seen significant changes, including the closure of the turnaround under the Al-Qadisiyah Bridge and its replacement with an alternative route within the area.
The primary cause of congestion was the turnaround located beneath Al-Qadisiyah Bridge, near the Green Zone’s gate on the expressway. This turnaround had been narrowing the path for vehicles coming from the Amman Interchange. In response, security forces closed the U-turn and opened a new entrance to the Al-Qadisiyah area, offering drivers a detour to return from an entrance on the opposite side of the highway.
A security source in the Green Zone informed 964media that the turnaround was initially closed on a trial basis. Following its success in reducing congestion, the decision was made to keep the new arrangement permanent. This has resulted in a smoother flow of traffic on the expressway, with drivers seeking to return to the Green Zone now using the new Al-Qadisiyah entrance and its associated exit on the other side of the highway.
Photographs from University Street in Jadriya, post-expansion, show the successful alleviation of traffic congestion, both day and night. The new system at the Green Zone’s gates, however, faces a challenging test with continued traffic congestion and entry delays.
The situation around the railway road between the Green Zone and Abu Nawas has also improved significantly.