Issue 2 . Mar 2015
Road projects stimulate development across all parts of Oman T
he Sultanate’s government, represented by the Ministry of Transport and Communications, continues to accord top priority to the development of a modern road network designed to ensure the smooth, speedy and efficient flow of people and cargo across the Sultanate. After all, roads act as vital arteries that catalyse socioeconomic development across all parts of the Sultanate. They also connect the Sultanate with neighbouring countries. At the same time, the Ministry makes every effort to ensure that Oman’s roads are high quality and designed to world-class standards with regard to motoring safety even in adverse weather conditions. Judging from the impressive strides made by the road sector in Oman, both in terms of quality and network length, it’s abundantly clear that the Ministry of Transport and Communications has spared no resources and efforts in building a road system that the nation can
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Transport In Oman
justifiably be proud of. The asphalt road network in Oman has grown exponentially in recent decades, soaring from 3,766km in 1990 to 13,209km in 2013 (see graph below), an increase of 11 per cent annually. The graded road network also grew significantly during the same period, climbing from 13,048km in 1990 to 16,600km in 2013, an increase of 1.2 per cent annually. . In actual terms, the length of the grade road network expanded by around 12 per cent annually, if you exclude stretches that were asphalted. Work has commenced on a number of new carriageways, adding to an impressive portfolio of projects that were completed in recent years. Currently underway are interchanges at key locations along the Al Batinah highway, such as Al Suwaihrah interchange, and Al Salan interchange in Sohar. Several bypasses are also envisaged at key points covered by packages 7 and 11 of the Batinah Expressway project. In Musandam Governorate, the
Diba/Lima/Khasab and Khasab/ Bukha coastal road projects are among the major road initiatives underway in this northern enclave of Oman. Work is also ongoing on the Ibri/Yanqul road in Al Dhahirah Governorate (second stage) and Dhank/Al Khabib (second stage) as well as the interchange on the Ibri/ Hanfeet/Arhab road. In A’Dakhiliyah Governorate, a new alignment has been approved in the design and construction of Izz/ Adam road, Aqbat in Al Zakat road and Qayout road in the wilayat of Nizwa are among the major road projects underway. . The Bidbid/Sur dualization road project (first and second stages totalling 132 km) is one of the main road projects in North and South A’ Sharqiyah governorates. The alignment takes the carriageway away from wadis and avoids splitting Ibra into two parts. Steps have also been taken to attract investment in services and facilities along this important carriageway