Egypt to reopen Suez Canal bridge after two-year closure

Egypt is set to open Al-Salam Bridge, which crosses over the Suez Canal, following a two-year closure since September 2013 due to security concerns.

Minister of Transportation Saad El-Geyoushi inspected on Tuesday the bridge, the first suspension bridge over the Suez Canal, prior to its re-opening upon orders by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi.

Inaugurated in 2001 by then-president Hosni Mubarak, the bridge connects the northern Sinai Peninsula with the rest of the country. It is also the main gateway crossing the Suez Canal to Port Said’s east terminal.

On Monday, the head of the army’s Engineering Authority General Kamal El-Wazir said in an official statement that the bridge will be reopened in the coming days.

In a press release by the authority, El-Wazir said that there will be a complete revision of security procedures, the provision of modern explosive and narcotics detection equipment, along with increasing security services in coordination with the army, police and the Suez Canal Authority.

El-Wazir said that it has not yet been determined when in the day the bridge will be open, and that all cars, with the exception of heavy transport vehicles, will be allowed to cross.

He explained that the reopening of the bridge will serve the industrial, agricultural and business interests related to the Suez Canal area developmental project.

The bridge was closed by authorities in September 2013 for security concerns following an upsurge in militant attacks after the ouster of President Mohamed Morsi.

source: Ahram Online