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News Brief No. 12; May 21, 1999
The Bethlehem 2000 International Committee Grows Infrastructure
projects were the first priority for the Bethlehem 2000 Project Authority
when work in Bethlehem began almost a year ago. Infrastructure projects and
the associated Cultural heritage projects are the basis for making the
entire Bethlehem 2000 Project preparations a success and thus they continue
to be essential in the development and modernization of the district.
In order to update you on the progress of the Infrastructure sector
of the Bethlehem 2000 Project, we have outlined the on-going projects below.
Please note that this listing does not include the completed projects nor
those for which we have not yet found funding.
Beit
Sahour Main Road Beit Sahour:
2km out of 3.2 of the road have been paved, work is beginning on the final
Km. Expected
date of completion: August 1999.
Jerusalem-Hebron
Road - First Part: The
construction of a 2km of a four lane divided highway including all necessary
infrastructure. Expected
date of completion: before the end of Oct. 1999.
Jerusalem-Hebron
Road - Second Part: Preparations to build the infrastructure and excavate in order to
build the remaining 2.2km of the four lane highway has begun, however work
in area C of the project, (i.e. 700 m. in length) was suspended on
28/4/1999. This hold up is due to a decision taken by the Israeli
authorities. Bethlehem 2000 is pursuing the issue with the Ministry of Civil
Affairs. Expected
date of completion: Oct. 1999.
Shepherds
Field Beit Sahour Road:. Work is on-going for a 2.5km road leading to Shepherds Field.
Construction
of Bethlehem University Water Reservoir - Bethlehem:
The
floor and walls of this reservoir are completed. Expected
date of completion: End of June 1999.
Solomons
Pools-Artas-Bethlehem Roads: Final recommendations are being developed
to award this project for tendering.
Work on this project is expected to begin by the end of
May 99. Expected
date of completion: December 1999.
Water Distribution Networks ( Bethlehem District): Tendering for this project is completed. The agreement includes constructing Ductile Water pipes, and a Water pump in Bethlehem and Doha. Expected
date of completion: November 1999.
Rehabilitation of Inner Roads Bethlehem District: The evaluation of tenders for rehabilitating 4km of the main inner roads ( which have been in Bethlehem, Beit Jala and Beit Sahour) opened on May 13, 1999 and are ongoing. Expected
date of completion: October 1999.
Doha Sewage - Doha: Tenders will be submitted by the end of 3 June 1999. The works construction of 28km of Sewage pipes on Doha, Khader and Beit Jala. Expected
date of completion: February 2000. Karkafa Road Bethlehem: Construction has started. Expected
date of completion: November 1999. Bethlehem Southern Inner Ring Final Tendering documents for this project are being developed. Bid opening will be on May 27. Expected
date of completion: December 1999.
Star Road - Bethlehem: Rehabilitation work began on May 3, 1999. Expected
date of completion: November 1999.
Paul VI Road - Bethlehem: Work on the part of the road being financed by the Government of Sweden began on May 5, 1999. The tender of the rehabilitation of Madbasa Square and Farhiah Street, which is being financed by the Government of Germany were opened on May 15. Expected
date of completion: October 1999.
Rehabilitation
of Milk Grotto Street - Bethlehem: Work on rehabilitation has begun. Expected
date of completion: October 1999. Rehabilitation
of Wasat al-Balad (City Center) Beit Sahour: Implementation of the project has begun.
Expected date of completion: November 1999. Project funded by WB. Rehabilitation
of Dar Mansour Bethlehem: Implementation has begun. Expected
date of completion: July 1999. Rehabilitation
of Wassat al-Balad (City Centre) Beit Jala: Work is expected to start on June 1999. Expected
date of completion: November 1999. Rehabilitation
of St. Marys Church Bethlehem: Tenders are expected to be opened in late May 99. Work is expected
to begin on June 1999. Expected
date of completion: September 1999. Construction
of Peace Center (next to Manger Square Bethlehem): Work
began on November 1999 and is on going. Rehabilitation
of the main Vegetable Market - Bethlehem: Work is on going. Expected
date of completion: End of May 1999. Traffic
and Tourist Sign Package Bethlehem district: Under design and tender. This project
includes street signs and historic site signs as well as traffic
signs and tourist guiding signs. Expected
date of completion: November 1999. Orthodox
Patriarch Complex near Manger Square (Bethlehem): This
project consists of a commercial center which includes a car park. Rehabilitation
of An-Najajre Quarter - Bethlehem:
Tender stage. Work on this project is expected to begin on June 1999. Expected
date of completion: December 1999. Bethlehem
Transport Terminal:
Digging and leveling of the area began on April 6, 1999. The four-story
parking lot in the vicinity of Manger Square is expected to be the main
parking lot for all tourist buses. Expected
date of completion: December 1999. |
