Highway linking Muscat-Dubai to be upgraded

Muscat, February 7, 2011 (Gulf News): Alarmed by the increasing fatalities on the highway linking Muscat with Dubai in the Batinah region, the Ministry of Transport and Communications in Oman has planned to turn the main link road into an international-class carriageway.

According to a report in the government-owned daily Oman Observer, the government is preparing to select an experienced consultant to undertake detailed design work on the project.

The Ministry, report says, plans to construct a total of 24 grade-separated junctions at key points along the highway. These junctions will replace existing open intersections that have been the focus of horrific road mishaps that occur from time to time along the highway.

The grade-separated junctions will come up at 24 locations along a 250-kilometre stretch extending from Bait al Barakah roundabout to Khatmat Malaha roundabout.

Also as part of the highway modernisation project, existing roundabouts at Barka and Khabourah will be upgraded to cater to the substantial growth in traffic volumes flowing through these key junctions. It is expected that the roundabouts will make way for major interchanges.

The selected firm will be required to carry out a comprehensive study of traffic movements at the Barka and Khabourah roundabouts, as well as the 24 open intersections identified for conversion into grade-separated junctions.

The consultant will also be required to suggest viable, all-weather traffic solutions, complete with conceptual designs, for each of the open medians and roundabouts due to be upgraded as part of the project.

Actual work on the project is expected to be expedited through the appointment of up to three contractors who will work simultaneously on different stretches of the carriageway.

An 18-months timeframe has been stipulated for the completion of the project.