Raqqa’s vital bridge , the reconstruction nearly completed
Mustafa Al-Khalil\ Raman Ali – Raqqa
The Civil Council of Raqqa announced that the reconstruction of one of the most important bridges connecting the city and its countryside is in its final stages, after the construction process lasted for, nearly, a year, in the midst of difficulties and lack of potentials.
The Civil Council began working on the rehabilitation of the old bridge ,on the Euphrates River, in June, after the bridges in the city were severely damaged during the battles of liberating the Raqqa from the organization of “Islamic State” (Da’esh).
“The maintenance work is continuing despite the bad weather conditions in the region, and it is planned to put the last layer of asphalt, which is the final stage of rehabilitation, at the end of April,” said the deputy director of the rehabilitation project of the old bridge.
Since the liberation of the city, the residents have been moving and carrying goods between the city and its countryside using boats, after the destruction of the three bridges, the new bridge (Al-Rashid), the old bridge (Al-Mansour) and Raqqa bridge (Shaqra) , which links the city with its countryside and other Syrian areas.
The old bridge is open for people by walking , until it is valid to function fully, and allowing vehicles to pass on.
Satisfaction among civilians
Ali Al-Abdullah, a civilian from Raqqa, hopes that the opening of the bridge will reduce his suffering and avoid him the danger of boating. “I go to the city of Raqqa for treatment at the national hospital.” He said.
Ismael Al-Mahmoud, a resident of Al-Kassrat village in the southern countryside of Raqqa, said that the rehabilitation of the bridge will ease the people’s suffering from the difficulty of moving and transporting their agricultural products to Raqqa.
The efforts to restore stability ,after Syrian Democratic Forces, backed by the international coalition , Washington-led, expelled armed militants of Da’esh from Raqqa , focused on the opening of main and access roads, cleaning the city of rubble and mines, and restoring basic services.