Abdoun bridge
I stopped to take some photos of our new architectural marvel which is nearly finished. I hate to be pessemistic but I can see that if the speeds are not strongly controlled on this bridge there are going to be plenty of accidents. Just look at the bend. The whole thing may be aesthetically pleasing but is it safe? T
posted by joladies at Tuesday, December 12, 2006
9 Comments:
Am I the only one who thinks this is too big for Amman? It's not liek we're in San Francisco or something!
The issue is not that it's too big for Amman, the issue is that we are a third world country with the majority of its people living in poverty. The country has no water, no valuable commodity for export, very high cost of living and a minimum wage that puts so many under the poverty line. Cost of solar for our heaters are so high no one can afford to stay warm at all times in winter. Cost of living is going to increase as the cost of utilities are expected to rise. Government tax is at 16%, highways and roads are in dire shape and our streets are full of beggers.
Now tell me, is the cost of building this bridge justified? It's just so upsetting that the suffering and hard times of the majority of people in Jordan is going ignored to build a bridge to go to an area that does not have heavy traffic. And the bridge happens to go into Abdoun, one of the most elite areas in Jordan.
That money could have been used to help the poor, pay off national debts, fix the roads, fix the infrastructure of a city that is poorly planned. Whoever this idea of the bridge was, I wonder how they feel when they pass it knowing that it was money well wasted.
this is another get rich quick scheme for the Jordanian elite who are masters of playing contract middlemen and kickbacks. these people do nothing but rob Jordanians and donor countries and shout JORDAN FIRST at every opportunity. now I know what they mean by Jordan 1st, it's the 1st thing they screw. just think of all the Abdoun millionaires who own property along the other end of the bridge, now they will REALLY get rich. Fuck Jordan's elite.
its about time Jordan is paying money for architecture. This is definitely be a new Jordanian land mark. it looks hot, and when i passed by it a week ago, i had to park my car on the side and have a look at it. it is marvelous, it moves the world around it, especially in the night time, as car lights move along and between it. and the view from the 4th circle towards the bridge is astonishing. indeed it is worthy of all the money spent.
well, interesting reactions about safety on Abdoun bridge!!!! The idea for the bridge is as a ring road and is supposed to relieve traffic problems.
I should think that the 'rich' people living in Abdoun are quite upset about the bridge. I know someone who owns a house right next to the bridge and it is going to be horrible for them - the noise, pollution, the view etc. I certainly don't think that this bridge will add to the value of their properties.
As for poverty in the country there are a lot of things that I would like to see less spent on. I don't know how people are managing to live now and how many will get through the winter with the prohibitive cost of fuel. T
I concur with the last post that "Abdoun people" are the most harmed by this construction. Think of all the noise and air pollution this is bringing to the area. On another note, there might be a need for this bridge to relief some traffic congestion, but you can't help but wonder how dire this need is comparing to other priorities.
Interesting comments. I would like to add with joloadies and romel that the bridge is going to ruin Abdoun residents, shop owners, etc... Would you honestly want to live next to a bridge like that with thousands of cars passing everyday.
Now I know everyone thinks that the bridge is a waste of money, but it isn't. I have closely looked at why they might have possibly created such a monstrosity is Amman's richest district, well its clear that, the ring road had been planned for years before Abdoun became what it is today,
Now the reason for the bridge is that, to get from the airport to the Abdali project, you would have to pass by many numerous traffic lights and small streets, and once the project is complete, vehicular traffic to the area is going to be great, therefore the new Abdoun bridge and ring road will provide a shortcut from the airport highway to the Abdali Area.
Here is how it goes:
Airport highway > new underpass connecting ring road to area near blue fig (its being constructed) > bridge over blue fig circle > tunnel under Abdoun circle > Abdoun bridge > tunnel under 4th circle> then to Abdali...
Just a note, the whole street system near the Abdali project is going to be revamped, to allow for a more efficient roadway network.
All this is and has been planned for years. The ring road will also reduce traffic on other city roads.
some interesting comments out there, i am inclined to agree w/ Anonymous, but by the end of the day, its price of modernization ie at the expense of the less fortunate...
just to add an urban planning aspect to the bridge, its -the bridge- part of a bigger ring road system surrounding amman eventually the bridge would lead to the airport and the kings highway..its supposed to reduce the general traffic in the city, the plan is really interesting but i think a bit pretenious for a small city like amman, its now like we are the new york or chicago of the middle east in terms of roads, such a bridge might be more suited in cities like cairo or dubai, where cars and streets are really a big concern, but again jordan is becoming "modern", so i guess the bridge comes with that, but like all projects in jordan, the money, labour and engineering is from overseas i beleive india or maybe japan not sure on that...its a sad thing, for jordan to be modern we rely on other to do that for us..the least the government could have done was supply the labour or the design,,,
cheers
faris darwazeh
Dear Joladies,
I am writing again in order to ask one of you six to email me. I am planning to wed a Jordinian man, and move to Amman. I would be eternally grateful to correspond with one or all of you in order to learn about what my life will be like in Jordan. I am american, and want to know what to be careful of, and what kinds of things will change. You can email me at nestle_grl@hotmail.com, or that is my msn sign on name, or yahoo.com sign on name is nestlegrl. Please Please tell me what ever you can.
I have not told my parents yet, that i will be living there. I am 36 yrs old and this is a really big decision. any help you can give will be appreciated. thank you, Elizabeth
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