The Ministry of Public Works and Housing has clarified details of a road permanently closed in the Ruwaished area, following a video circulating on social media calling for its reopening.
اضافة اعلان
The ministry said the road in question, known as Road No. 3 in the Abu Mileh area along the Baghdad Highway, is an old, decommissioned municipal road and not a service road as claimed in the video. It stressed that the closure was permanent and based on technical considerations and public safety requirements.
The ministry explained that the road was an old route that was abandoned after the highway alignment was modified and an alternative road was constructed in accordance with approved plans and official specifications, ensuring safe and continuous traffic flow. The former section is no longer included in approved road plans and is not part of the designated road network.
It added that the old road had previously sustained damage due to flash floods, posing a risk to road users. A field inspection report issued by the Public Safety Committee on October 18, 2026, concerning the road and the Ruwaished Bridge in Abu Mileh, identified hazards caused by flowing floodwaters and rising water levels affecting parts of the road, recommending its closure to protect public safety.
The ministry emphasized that the closure is permanent and is not a temporary measure related to maintenance or rehabilitation works. It confirmed that the old road has been officially decommissioned following the approval of an alternative route and will not be reopened, either now or in the future, due to the risks associated with its location and the availability of a safe alternative.
The Ministry of Public Works and Housing reaffirmed that the safety of citizens and road users remains its top priority, stressing that decisions to close hazardous roads or modify their routes are based on technical assessments and recommendations from public safety committees.
The ministry also urged media outlets to verify information and maintain professional standards in their coverage, emphasizing the importance of consulting the relevant authorities regarding issues raised in their reports.
