17-05-2025
Road projects with RO 920 million underway across Oman
MUSCAT: The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology has invested more than RO 920 million in road development projects across the Sultanate of Oman since the beginning of the Tenth Five-Year Plan in 2021. These efforts reflect the government's commitment to enhancing connectivity, supporting regional development, and improving infrastructure throughout the country.
According to Eng Khamis bin Mohammed al Shammakhi, Under-Secretary for Transport, the Ministry is currently implementing a number of dual carriageway and other road projects in various stages—some under execution, others in the bidding phase or under design. One of the most significant recent completions is the Sultan Said bin Taimur Road, a 400-kilometre-long dual carriageway, now the longest in the Sultanate. Following the completion of national roads linking major governorates, the Ministry is now focusing on regional projects and urban connections.
Among the most prominent projects in progress is the dual carriageway in the Wilayat of Ibra in North Al Sharqiyah Governorate, which is currently in the design phase. This road will link Sultan Turki bin Said Road, pass through Al Mudhaibi, and extend to Sinaw. In Al Dhahirah Governorate, the Ministry is working on the first phase of the Rub al Khali Road, which involves dualising an 11-kilometre section from Al Buraimi to Mahdha. Additionally, the remaining segment of the Sultan Said bin Taimur Road from Adam to Haima is being completed.
Eng Khamis bin Mohammed al Shammakhi, Under-Secretary for Transport at the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology.
In Dhofar Governorate, several road infrastructure projects are underway. These include the dual carriageway from Raysut to Al Mughsail, the construction of the Mughsail Bridge and Itin Tunnel, the dualisation of Al Farouq and Sultan Taimur Streets, and the development of an asphalt road network in the Wilayat of Maqshan. The Ministry is also advancing the Jabal Shams Road and the dual carriageway connecting Izki and Nizwa via Qarut South, Barakat Al Mouz, and Farq in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate.
In South Al Sharqiyah, the dual carriageway linking Al Kamil, Jalan Bani Bu Hassan, and Jalan Bani Bu Ali is under evaluation, based on a final scope agreed upon with relevant authorities. Meanwhile, the Al Kamil–Sur Road project has reached more than 46 per cent completion, and the Sultan Faisal bin Turki Road project has surpassed 44 per cent completion.
Al Shammakhi revealed that road projects awarded in 2024 are valued at over RO 450 million, and the total value of projects this year is expected to exceed RO 600 million. Since the start of the Tenth Five-Year Plan, the cumulative value of road projects awarded by the Ministry has surpassed RO 920 million. He also noted that the Ministry is working to implement key internal highway connections based on annual priorities and approvals from relevant authorities. These include a connection from the Musannah (Shuaiba) Roundabout and the Sohar link to the Batinah Expressway, which is expected to be tendered this year. Additional connections and works are also underway along Sultan Turki bin Said Road and the Batinah Expressway.
The Ministry is simultaneously supervising maintenance work on asphalt roads in various governorates. A key project includes the rehabilitation of Sultan Thuwaini bin Said Road, which runs from the Wilayat of Bidbid to Nizwa. Currently, the Ministry oversees a road network that spans over 33,000 kilometres, including approximately 16,000 kilometres of asphalt roads and 17,000 kilometres of dirt roads. — ONA
