Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
baghdad_subway.jpg

Via Transport Politic, some encouraging transit news from Iraq, where the mayor of Baghdad recently announced plans to move ahead with the city's first subway lines. The Guardian reports:

One of the new proposed subway lines would run 11 miles fromShia-dominated Sadr City in the east to Adhamiya in north Baghdad. Theother would traverse 13 miles and link mixed central Baghdad to theprimarily Sunni western suburbs.

Both lines would have 20stations each and run through a patchwork quilt of sectarianneighbourhoods, which largely remain divided, despite the securityimprovements. Bombs still rattle Baghdad daily, but on a much smallerscale than the violence that ravaged the capital throughout 2006-07.

Naturally, huge question marks remain about a project that's been tabled repeatedly over the years due to disruptive violence. But is there a better metaphor for a unified Baghdad?

"If anyone suggested a train back then, they would have been sent toone of Saddam's old mental homes and never heard from again," said anincredulous Umm Fatimah, 41, from the suburb of Karada. "Even now itdoes seem a bit crazy, but not as crazy as then."

Another Karada resident, Nazem al-Qasemi, said something had to be doneto sort out Baghdad's chronically clogged arterial roads. "Look at it,"he said, waving a hand at a gridlocked roundabout. "Even if this isjust talking, at least it's giving us hope."

Graphic: Osamu Abe via Transport Politic

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

New Air Quality Stats Dispel Earlier Forecasts for Congestion Pricing Pollution

Air quality has improved or remained steady across the five boroughs since congestion pricing launched in January, city health department data showed.

July 7, 2025

New ‘Rush’ Routes Launch With Queens Overhaul More Than Five Years in the Making

The MTA's new "rush" routes make fewer stops in busy downtown areas to avoid wasted time merging in and out of traffic.

July 7, 2025

Monday’s Headlines: Run This Town Edition

The 34th Street busway is the latest casualty of the mayor's lack of a spine on transportation issues. Plus more news.

July 7, 2025

Beach Reading: Zohran Mamdani’s Answers to Streetsblog’s Mayoral Candidate Survey

Spend the holiday weekend with Zohran Mamdani's answers to Streetsblog's mayoral candidate questionnaire.

July 4, 2025

Friday Video: Why NYC Needs ‘Low-Traffic Neighborhoods’

London's Church Street, like so many of our business corridors, was choking on cars — until the advent of the low-traffic neighborhood.

July 4, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: E-Bikes in Parks … Permanently Edition

The Parks Department will permanently allow e-bikes in city parks following a two-year pilot. Plus more news.

July 4, 2025
See all posts