After two years of construction, the Al-Rashid Bridge has officially re-opened in Raqqa, reconnecting the banks of the Euphrates nearly seven years after they were severed during the battle for the city between the SDF, backed by the US-led Coalition, and ISIS terrorists.
The opening ceremony of the bridge was attended by representatives of the Autonomous Administration, the Syrian Democratic Forces, and local residents. The bridge was originally planned to be completed over a period of 360 days, but faced delays due to the difficulty of obtaining the necessary materials, leading to a 570 day construction period. The bridge was built according to the standards of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) standards, a first for the region.
Raqqa is witnessing significant growth of both its population and commercial activity due to its strategic location and relative safety. Hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) have taken up residence in the city, and as such, the new bridge is expected to positively influence all commercial and agricultural activity in the city and region.