The closure of the East Highway, which connects central Algiers to Houari Boumediene International Airport and the eastern neighborhoods, has caused massive traffic jams on Algiers’ southern bypass.
Travel to Algiers Airport, which is serviced by this route, has been significantly disrupted, prompting the management of the Algiers Airport Infrastructure and Services Company to issue a recommendation on Monday for travelers to avoid arriving late and missing their flights.
“The Algiers Airport Management and Infrastructure Services Company (SGSIA) informs its dear users that due to the closure of the East Highway and the Sablettes Promenade access, it is recommended to use the train to get to Algiers Airport,” the statement read.
Indeed, the train is an effective solution to bypass the traffic jams on Algiers’ southern bypass leading to Houari Boumediene International Airport. It connects downtown Algiers directly to the airport.
East Highway Closure: Algiers Airport Issues Travel Advisory
The Algiers wilaya announced on Friday evening the closure of the East Highway, adjacent to the Great Mosque of Algiers and the Sablettes Promenade, from Sunday at 23:59 until Friday, November 1st at 17:00.
This closure was decided as part of the preparations for a military parade scheduled to take place on this highway facing Algiers Bay, commemorating the 70th anniversary of the start of the Glorious Revolution of November 1st, 1954, according to the Algiers wilaya.
A traffic management plan was set up by the authorities to ease traffic flow and guide drivers, but massive traffic jams began forming from the early hours of Monday, especially in the eastern part of the capital. “I took two hours to get from Ouled Hedadj to central Algiers. Normally, this trip takes me 45 minutes,” one driver reported.