KUWAIT CITY, Oct 24: Around 69.4 percent of the time was saved in different stages of the procedures related to the 18 road maintenance contracts that the Ministry of Public Works signed recently. Sources explained that 716 days were allotted for the preparation phase up to the point of signing the contracts, but only 219 days were spent until the ministry signed the contracts in fiscal 2023/2024. Sources highlighted the crucial role played by entities that assisted in preparing the contract documents like Kuwait University, Legal Advice and Legislation Department, the Public Authority for Housing Welfare, the Central Agency for Public Tenders and the Ministry of Finance. Sources disclosed that the document preparation stage took 60 days, the tender stage took 74 days, the technical study took 60 days, the award stage took three days, the State Audit Bureau took 12 days, and the contract preparation stage took six days.

In a related development, sources said the weighbridges are included in the six highway maintenance contracts; indicating the weigh-in motion system will be applied -- a technologically advanced system used in many countries. This system will enable the monitoring of trucks that violate the weight regulations for driving on highways, especially on the right lane. Violators will be referred to the Ministry of Interior to take the necessary measures to protect highways from damage due to heavy trucks. The system will oblige everyone to strictly comply with the regulations for driving on highways, particularly the companies that own trucks. It will also ensure that violating trucks do not enter internal roads and residential areas, sources explained. Sources added the system will be applied on the Sixth and Seventh Ring roads; King Fahad Road; Fahaheel Expressway; First Ring Road; Third, Fourth and Fifth intersections; King Faisal Road; Salmi Road; Subiya Road; Jahra Road, and Abdally Road.

Mohammad Ghanem
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff