Oman has awarded major infrastructure contracts for the expansion of the Muscat Expressway and the dualization of the Ibra road, with total project investments exceeding $484.38 million (RO186.3 million).
The Oman’s Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology announced that the contracts were awarded in coordination with the Projects, Tenders, and Local Content Authority. The projects include expanding the Muscat Expressway from the Qurum Natural Park intersection to the Halban intersection, as well as dualizing the Ibra road between Al Yahmadi and Al Qafisi.
Eng. Khamis Mohammed Al Shamakhi, Undersecretary of the Oman Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology for Transport, confirmed that awarding the two projects represents a strategic step within the Ministry’s plans aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the main road network, keeping pace with rapid urban and population growth, strengthening connectivity between governorates, and providing a safe transportation environment.
Eng. Badr Salim Al Maamari, Chairman of the Oman Projects, Tenders, and Local Content Authority, pointed out that the two projects embody the level of attention the government accords to developing the road sector as a fundamental pillar of comprehensive development. He noted that the total value of the two projects exceeded $484.38 million (RO186.3 million); the cost of the Muscat Expressway expansion project amounted to more than $408.72 million (RO157.2 million), while the cost of the Ibra dualization project reached $75.66 million (RO29.1 million).
Muscat Expressway expansion project
The Muscat Expressway expansion project includes the implementation of several development works, most notably transforming the Qurum Natural Park roundabout and the Saih Al Malih roundabout into signalized intersections. The project will also involve expanding the road from the Saih Al Malih roundabout to the Halban intersection and linking it with the Al Batinah Expressway.
In addition, the works include improving most entrances and exits of existing bridges by adding an additional lane to make them two lanes in each direction. A direct exit will also be constructed on the Rusayl bridge for motorists traveling from Muscat towards the Burj Al Sahwa roundabout.
The project further includes the construction of independent two-lane flyovers for traffic coming from the Ruwi area towards the Muscat Expressway. Additional flyovers will also be built at the Al Khoud 6th area signals for vehicles heading from the Muscat Expressway to the Book Roundabout, as well as for motorists coming from A’Dakhiliyah Governorate towards Sohar without intersecting with traffic heading from the Muscat Expressway toward A’Dakhiliyah Governorate.
Image Credits: PTLCA | Cropped by GBN
Several improvements will also be implemented along the collector-distributor road (CD-Road) from Al Ghubrah to Al Mabaila to facilitate smoother traffic flow when entering or exiting bridges connected to the main road.
The Muscat Expressway expansion is expected to increase road capacity, reduce traffic congestion during peak hours, enhance road safety, and shorten travel time. Meanwhile, the dualization of the Ibra road between Al Yahmadi and Al Qafisi is expected to improve the efficiency of the existing road network, ensure smoother traffic movement, and strengthen connectivity between the wilayat and neighboring areas.
