Homs, July 13 (SANA)Transport Minister Yarub Badr and Homs Governor Murhaf al-Naasan on Monday inaugurated the Cement Bridge in al-Rastan city, northern Homs countryside, following the completion of its rehabilitation, returning it to service after 14 years of disuse and restoring the link between the city’s eastern and western sides, the ministry said.

Badr said thebridgemarks an important milestone for al-Rastan’s residents after 14 years of hardship, providing safe passage for citizens and reducing the risks of crossing the international highway. The ministry will continue implementing more service projects in the coming period, he added.

The minister expressed thanks to UN-Habitat and the German government for their support, and to the General Corporation for Road Transport and its engineering and technical teams for completing the project on time and to specifications.

Governor al-Naasan said the bridge reopening is an important step to enhance road safety, facilitate movement between the city’s two sides, and improve traffic on the Homs-Hama international highway.