Batinah Expressway Barka-Rustaq section opens Sunday

Zainab al Nassri - Muscat, March 2 - The first package of Batinah Expressway project linking Barka and Rustaq will be opened for traffic on March 5 by the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC). The 45 km stretch is part of the six packages of a new main road and an arterial south road connecting wilayats of Batinah, according to an official statement from the ministry. It will open by the end of 2017. The route stretches from the end of Muscat Expressway near Halban Intersection to Khatmat Milahah in Shinas with a total length of 272 km. It provides an alternative to the current Batinah road that links Oman with the neighbouring countries. It eases traffic congestion towards Muscat since it offers an alternative route for traffic originating from the current Batinah Dual carriageway, especially the Rustaq and Ibri-Rustaq road. The first package starts from the end of Muscat Expressway (Halban Intersection) in Barka to Khabat Al Qadan (45.5 km). It comprises five intersections, five flyovers, two wadi crossing bridges and an underpass. It also includes 235 box culverts and a provision for camel crossing. The second package, from Khabat Al Qadan to Wadi Al Hamili in Suwaiq (44.75 km), includes four intersections, a flyover, seven wadi crossing bridges and two underpasses. It also includes 165 box culverts and a rest area. The third package, Wadi Al Hamili in Suwaiq to Hafeet in Saham (46.2 km), includes five intersections, four flyovers, four wadi crossing bridges and 220 box culverts. The fourth package, Hafeet in Saham to Suhar (43.5 km), includes two intersections, four flyovers, five wadi crossing bridges, an underpass, 198 box culverts and a rest area. The fifth package, Suhar to Liwa (41 km), includes three intersections, a flyover, three wadi crossing bridges, four underpasses, 132 box culverts and a rest area. The sixth package, Liwa to Khatmat Milahah in Shinas (45 km), includes four intersections, two flyovers, four wadi crossing bridges, four underpasses, 150 box culverts and a rest area. All these packages include four 3.75m-wide lanes on each side, a 12m wide traffic island, 3m external asphalt shoulder, 2m internal asphalt shoulders, 31 wadi crossing bridges and 23 intersections. The project also includes 25 wadi crossing bridges and box culverts of various sizes, trucks weighing stations, ambulance spots and parking for Royal Oman Police (ROP) vehicles.