Agreement
Signed for Al Mouj Road Development Project in Muscat

Muscat,
9 Nov (ONA) — The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information
Technology today signed an agreement for the Al Mouj Road Development Project
in the Wilayat of A’Seeb, Muscat Governorate, and the related section of 18th
November Street, with a total cost exceeding RO 44.940 million.

The
agreement was signed on behalf of the Ministry by Eng. Said bin Hamood Al
Ma’awali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology. It
was signed on behalf of Strabag Oman by Sheikh Hamid bin Abdulqawi Al Yaf’ei,
the company’s Executive Director.

The
project aims to raise traffic efficiency, improve traffic flow, and enhance
commercial, economic, and tourism activity.

The
project includes: Adding a third lane in each direction of the road from Muscat
International Airport Bridge to Al Ishraq Roundabout, heading towards A’Seeb
Beach; Constructing a bridge and a four-way traffic light intersection at Al
Mouj Roundabout; Constructing an overpass roundabout and a vehicle underpass at
the existing Al Bahja Roundabout; Developing Al Ishraq Roundabout into a three-way
traffic light intersection with lanes allowing continuous movement toward
A’Seeb Beach; Adding a third lane from Al Mouj Roundabout to Al Mawaleh Bridge
and constructing two vehicle underpasses for traffic heading from 18th November
Street to Al Mawaleh Bridge.

Eng.
Khamis Mohammed Al Shamakhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport,
Communications and Information Technology for Transport, explained that the
project will enhance the efficiency of roads in Muscat Governorate by reducing
traffic congestion. He noted that the project was redesigned and a traffic
congestion simulation model was executed to achieve the best results, in
cooperation with relevant parties, most notably the Royal Oman Police (ROP).

Al
Shamakhi clarified that the implementing company will work on the initial
preparations for the project for two months, after which the actual
construction will commence. The project is expected to be completed within 30
months. He pointed out that the project requires vehicle traffic management,
which will be achieved through the creation of temporary diversions, working
during off-peak hours, and opening sections of the project immediately upon
their completion.

Regarding
the Muscat Expressway, he explained that the tender process is currently
underway, with a large part of the procedures related to tendering, receiving
offers, financial analysis, and financial approvals having been completed. Work
is currently focused on the final procedures with the Projects, Tenders and
Local Content Authority.

—Ends/AG