ARCHIRODON to Build Bridge to Main Hub Island at Red Sea Project

The bridge will stretch a total of 1.2km across the Red Sea, with two small 36-meter sections at each end of the crossing. (SPA)
The bridge will stretch a total of 1.2km across the Red Sea, with two small 36-meter sections at each end of the crossing. (SPA)
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ARCHIRODON to Build Bridge to Main Hub Island at Red Sea Project

The bridge will stretch a total of 1.2km across the Red Sea, with two small 36-meter sections at each end of the crossing. (SPA)
The bridge will stretch a total of 1.2km across the Red Sea, with two small 36-meter sections at each end of the crossing. (SPA)

The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC) has appointed ARCHIRODON to design and build a 1.2km iconic bridge, which is part of the 3.3km crossing to its main hub island, Shurayrah.

TRSDC CEO John Pagano said that ARCHIRODON, a leading EPC global Group, will provide engineering, procurement and construction support to complete the building of Shurayrah bridge.

The bridge will stretch a total of 1.2km across the Red Sea, with two small 36-meter sections at each end of the crossing to allow for movement of marine mammals.

He said Shurayrah Bridge will become one of the main access points for guests onto the island, and its completion will mark a major undertaking in the development of the destination.

Its construction is truly monumental as not only will the bridge be the very first connection to the islands, its construction will demonstrate our ability to accomplish huge feats of engineering whilst also protecting and enhancing the natural habitat, he added, according to a statement.

He stressed that the bridge design and construction methods meet TRSDC’s strict criteria for sustainable development, which includes strict controls on the prevention of any sediment movement from piling activities with multiple monitoring buoys strategically sited to alert any breakthrough from surface booms.

A precast yard for bridge sections will be established near the coast to minimize travel distances with concrete sourced from on-site batching plants. The contract follows major marine enabling works carried out by the company across the development last year, which have helped underpin the successful delivery of the project by providing a solid foundation to ensure the efficient movement of people, materials and equipment in and around the destination, while safeguarding the sensitive ecological environment.

ARCHIRODON Group CEO Dennis Karapiperis said the firm was proud of being part of this prestigious development for Shurayrah Bridge with the TRSDC.

The move will not only make this unique island destination accessible for visitors, but also have sustainable techniques embedded within every element of its design to ensure the delicate ecological environment is protected and even enhanced, he stressed.



Iran's Rial Hits a Record Low, Battered by Regional Tensions and Energy Crisis

An Iranian trader counts money in Tehran's Grand Bazaar. (Reuters)
An Iranian trader counts money in Tehran's Grand Bazaar. (Reuters)
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Iran's Rial Hits a Record Low, Battered by Regional Tensions and Energy Crisis

An Iranian trader counts money in Tehran's Grand Bazaar. (Reuters)
An Iranian trader counts money in Tehran's Grand Bazaar. (Reuters)

The Iranian rial on Wednesday fell to its lowest level in history, losing more than 10% of value since Donald Trump won the US presidential election in November and signaling new challenges for Tehran as it remains locked in the wars raging in the Middle East.

The rial traded at 777,000 rials to the dollar, traders in Tehran said, down from 703,000 rials on the day Trump won.

Iran’s Central Bank has in the past flooded the market with more hard currencies in an attempt to improve the rate.

In an interview with state television Tuesday night, Central Bank Gov. Mohammad Reza Farzin said that the supply of foreign currency would increase and the exchange rate would be stabilized. He said that $220 million had been injected into the currency market, The AP reported.

The currency plunged as Iran ordered the closure of schools, universities, and government offices on Wednesday due to a worsening energy crisis exacerbated by harsh winter conditions. The crisis follows a summer of blackouts and is now compounded by severe cold, snow and air pollution.

Despite Iran’s vast natural gas and oil reserves, years of underinvestment and sanctions have left the energy sector ill-prepared for seasonal surges, leading to rolling blackouts and gas shortages.

In 2015, during Iran’s nuclear deal with world powers, the rial was at 32,000 to $1. On July 30, the day that Iran’s reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian was sworn in and began his term, the rate was 584,000 to $1.

Trump unilaterally withdrew America from the accord in 2018, sparking years of tensions between the countries that persist today.

Iran’s economy has struggled for years under crippling international sanctions over its rapidly advancing nuclear program, which now enriches uranium at near weapons-grade levels.

Pezeshkian, elected after a helicopter crash killed hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi in May, came to power on a promise to reach a deal to ease Western sanctions.

Tensions still remain high between the nations, 45 years after the 1979 US Embassy takeover and the 444-day hostage crisis that followed. Before the revolution, the rial traded at 70 for $1.