AANES to renovate bridge damaged in war against ISIS in Syria’s Raqqa
RAQQA, Syria (North Press) – On Monday, Board of Local Administrations and Environment in the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) expressed readiness for renovating al-Rashid Bridge in the city of Raqqa.
Al-Rashid Bridge, currently known as the New Bridge, is the most important and the largest vital facility in the city, it went out of service in January 2017 during battles against the Islamic State Organization (ISIS).
The bridge used to connect between the Euphrates River banks.
The bridge had been previously bombed and partially destroyed by Russian warplanes in November 2015.
Board of Local Administrations and Environment is getting ready to initiate the renovation process, a project that will contribute in easing traffic congestion in the city and shortening space between Raqqa and the city of Tabqa, according to the AANES website.
Drivers of cars with heavy loads have to travel to Tabqa Dam, 50 kilometers west of Raqqa, in order to move between both banks of the river, this process takes more time, effort and money. The renovation will alleviate sufferings of residents, farmers and travellers.
Technical Department in the board conducted all needed studies to begin the renovation in November, and set 12 months a duration for finishing the project, according to the board.
There are 130 bridges in Raqqa and its countryside, 60 of which were either partially or completely damaged, according to substantive services committee in Raqqa Civil Council.
ISIS controlled Raqqa and its countryside between January 2014 and October 2017, naming Raqqa the capital of the Caliphate.
October 2017 marked the end of the ISIS Caliphate in the city following fierce battles between ISIS and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).