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Over 70% completion achieved in dual-carriageway from Duqm Airport Roundabout to Ras Markaz

Over 70% completion achieved in dual-carriageway from Duqm Airport Roundabout to Ras Markaz

Times of Oman25-05-2025

Duqm: The Duqm Airport Roundabout to Ras Markaz dual-carriageway project has surpassed 70% completion, with several vital works finalised, positioning the project to soon facilitate effective traffic flow.
The project features a dual-carriageway comprising two lanes in each direction over a 42.9-kilometre stretch, along with 11.5 kilometres of subsidiary roads, including access routes to roundabouts and connections to the airport area.
The road will link storage tanks at Ras Markaz with the Duqm Airport Roundabout, passing alongside the Green Industries Zone and several ongoing projects. It will also connect to the populated village of Dhahar and the Salalah route, enhancing integration among strategic projects in the southern sector of the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (Sezad).
Eng. Salim bin Juma Al-Ghanbousi, Senior Quantity Surveying and Contracts Specialist, stated that the project's cost exceeds OMR57.6 million. It forms part of Sezad's vision to develop robust infrastructure supporting sustainable growth, with strong commitment to executing the project to the highest quality standards while adhering to the scheduled timeline.
In a statement to Oman News Agency (ONA), he explained that the project includes critical works such as constructing wadi drainage culverts, creating future utility corridors (for water, electricity, and communications), relocating damaged fibre-optic cables, and providing necessary protection for Duqm Refinery's oil pipelines.
Eng. Mohammed bin Salim Al-Tamimi, one of the project engineers at Oman Company for the Development of the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (Tatweer), reported that over 90% of works on Main Roads 1 and 2 have been completed, along with more than 90% of concrete construction works. Asphalt layer works have exceeded 70% completion.
In his statement to ONA, he noted that all surface water drainage culverts have been fully implemented. The project also includes installing smart lighting poles along the entire route.

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