Contracts Awarded for Muscat Expressway Expansion, Ibra Road Dualization

Muscat: The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, in coordination with the Projects, Tenders, and Local Content Authority, has awarded the contracts for the Muscat Expressway expansion project, extending from the Qurum Natural Park intersection to the Halban intersection, and the dualization project for the Ibra road (Al Yahmadi - Al Qafisi). According to Oman News Agency, Eng. Khamis Mohammed Al Shamakhi, Undersecretary of the 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. For his part, Eng. Badr Salim Al Maamari, Chairman of the 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 RO 186.3 million; the cost of the Muscat Expressway expansion project amounted to more than RO 157.2 million, while the cost of the Ibra dualization project reached RO 29.1 million. The Muscat Expressway expansion project includes the implementation of a package of development works, most notably transforming the Qurum Natural Park roundabout and the Saih Al Malih roundabout into signalized intersections. This is in addition to developing and expanding the road from the Saih Al Malih roundabout to the Halban intersection and linking it with the Al Batinah Expressway, along with improving most entrances and exits of existing bridges by adding a lane to become two lanes in each direction, and constructing a direct exit on the Rusayl bridge for those coming from Muscat towards the Burj Al Sahwa roundabout. The project also includes the construction of independent two-lane flyovers for those coming from the Ruwi area towards the Muscat Expressway, and at the Al Khoud 6th area signals for those heading from the Muscat Expressway to the Book Roundabout, as well as for those coming from A'Dakhiliyah Governorate heading toward Sohar without intersecting with those heading from the Muscat Expressway toward A'Dakhiliyah Governorate. Furthermore, the project includes improvements in several areas on the collector-distributor road (CD-Road) from the Al Ghubrah area to Al Mabaila to facilitate traffic movement when entering or exiting the bridges to the main road. The Muscat Expressway expansion project is expected to contribute to increasing vehicle capacity while addressing traffic congestion during peak hours, enhancing road safety levels, and reducing travel time. Meanwhile, the awarding of the Ibra road dualization project from Al Yahmadi to Al Qafisi will enhance the efficiency of the existing road, facilitating the smooth flow of traffic and supporting the l ink between the areas of the wilayat and neighboring wilayats.