Project Overview

The Al-Rastan Strategic Bridge rehabilitation project in Homs Governorate is a significant infrastructure recovery initiative in Syria. The bridge is located on the M5 international highway linking the northern and southern parts of the country, and it serves as a primary transportation artery. The project is being implemented to restore full service to the bridge after it sustained severe damage, with the stated aim of enabling safe and efficient transit for both civilian and commercial traffic.

Background and Construction Timeline

Actual rehabilitation work began on 21 May 2025. During this stage, the piers were fixed, the girders were cast, and a large part of the structural elements were completed. The bridge remained partially closed throughout the works.

The activities then stopped or slowed for a short period due to security and logistical conditions or a technical assessment, as reported in specialized sources covering the rebuilding file.

2026 Update: Qualification and Final Completion Phase

The Deputy Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management and Director of the Syrian Civil Defense, Munir Mustafa, stated that the project to rehabilitate the Rastan Bridge had entered its final stages after the work teams installed the last girder.

According to the same statement, the project is approximately 85 percent complete, with the most complex phases finished. The remaining work is expected to take about two months, and the bridge is anticipated to open to traffic between 15 May and the end of that month.

Statement from the Project Manager

The project manager at the Technical Engineering Works Company, Engineer Abdul Karim Qaisoun, noted the completion of the difficult construction work, particularly the removal and installation of the girders. He explained that work was focused on pouring the slabs and ties, as well as painting, lighting, and paving.

Implementing and Funding Partners

The Rastan Bridge rehabilitation project is implemented by the Syrian Civil Defense, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with funding from the United Nations Humanitarian Fund for Syria (SHF), and in coordination with the Ministry of Public Works and Housing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Al-Rastan Strategic Bridge located?

The bridge is located in Homs Governorate, Syria, on the M5 international highway that links the northern and southern parts of the country.

When did the rehabilitation work begin?

Actual rehabilitation work began on 21 May 2025, starting with fixing the piers, casting the girders, and completing a large part of the structural elements.

Who is implementing and funding the project?

The project is implemented by the Syrian Civil Defense in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with funding from the United Nations Humanitarian Fund for Syria (SHF), and in coordination with the Ministry of Public Works and Housing.

What is the reported completion status?

According to the 2026 update, the project is approximately 85 percent complete, with the most complex phases finished and the remaining work expected to take about two months.

UPDATE : 11.05.2026

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The Civil Defense said on Sunday, May 11, that engineering teams had begun laying asphalt on the Rastan Bridge in Homs Governorate after completing the construction and insulation work.

The Civil Defense explained through its official channels that the asphalt paving operations are being carried out in parallel with the completion of the preparation and installation of lighting poles, and the implementation of technical maintenance work on the pillars and supports.

Maintenance and rehabilitation work continues on the Rastan Bridge, a vital artery linking northern and southern Syria via the M5 international highway, as part of a project implemented by the Civil Defense teams in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and with support from the United Nations Humanitarian Fund for Syria (SHF).

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UPDATE : 19.05.2026

1. Current Traffic and Operational Status

• Fully Operational: The bridge is currently in full service with both lanes (northbound and southbound) open to traffic. There are no full closures on this international axis.
• Routine Maintenance: Technical teams from the General Establishment for Road Communications (Homs Branch) conduct regular maintenance. This includes repairing the mercurial expansion joints and resurfacing asphalt segments deformed by overloaded cargo trucks.

2. Road Safety and Lighting

• Solar Energy System: The perimeter of the bridge and its steep approach ramps have been equipped with solar-powered warning lights to enhance night-time visibility and reduce accident rates.
• Reflective Road Signs: New directional signs and phosphorus edge-reflectors have been installed to alert drivers approaching the bridge structure.

3. Strategic Importance

• The Rastan Bridge remains the primary transport artery connecting central Syria to the north. It experiences a heavy volume of daily traffic, serving as a critical route for commercial shipping trucks and passenger travel between governorates.
  

UPDATE : 06.06.2026

Official Inauguration

officially inaugurated Al-Rastan Bridge in Homs Governorate following the completion of rehabilitation and development works, returning the structure to full traffic service. The ceremony was attended by the Secretary-General of the Presidency Abdulrahman Badr al-Din al-Aama, Minister of Transport Yarab Badr, Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management Raed al-Saleh, Minister of Public Works and Housing Mustafa Abdulrazzaq, Homs Governor Marhaf al-Naasan, and Hama Governor Abdulrahman al-Sahyan.

Minister of Emergency Management's Statement

Minister Raed al-Saleh described the project as evidence that humanitarian work extends beyond saving lives to encompass the rebuilding of infrastructure and the restoration of normal living conditions. He expressed pride in the White Helmets' contribution to the project, noting that the organisation has participated in saving more than 130,000 lives since its founding, and that its humanitarian mission continues.