MUSCAT :The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology has announced a tender for the Phase 1 dualisation of the landmark carriageway that cuts through the Rub Al Khali (The Empty Quarter) to the newly launched land border between the Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The announcement comes amid concerted efforts by the two neighbours to strengthen trade, economic and investment ties, coupled with cross-border flows of people and goods that leverage the new road link between the two countries.
Opened late in 2021, the 725-km desert road starts on the Oman side at Ibri roundabout in the Governorate of Al Dhahirah and extends 161km to the Rub Al Khali checkpoint on the international border. From the Saudi side, the blacktop begins at Al Bat’ha junction and ends at the border checkpoint after covering a distance of 564 kilometres.
Phase 1 of the dualisation covers a modest stretch on the Oman side of the carriageway. It starts from the Governor’s Roundabout and extends to the Tanam Roundabout in the governorate, covering a distance of 5.159km. In addition to the dualisation of this stretch, a further 10km of service roads will also be constructed on either side.
Furthermore, the selected contractor will be required to design and construct a pair of smart signallised junctions elsewhere along the main highway. A wadi crossing and other improvements to the Ibri-Hafeet carriageway are also envisioned as part of the tender package.
Significantly, the Rub Al Khali road, which now features a full-fledged border checkpoint, will also serve as a principal conduit for passenger and cargo flows between the two countries when a mammoth new integrated economic zone is brought into operation in multiple phases in Al Dhahirah Governorate.
The Economic Zone at Al Dhahirah (EZAD), planned for development on a sprawling 388 sq km area of the governorate, will serve as a new economic growth engine in a strategically important part of the country. Located just 20 kilometres from the Rub Al Khali border crossing, EZAD will leverage its advantageous proximity to the massive Saudi market to target manufacturing, mining, oilfield, logistics, renewable energy and a host of other investments.
Significantly, EZAD grew out of agreements signed by Oman and Saudi Arabia in February this year, setting the ground for a new wave of economic cooperation between the two neighbours. It included a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to finance the infrastructure development of EZAD at a cost of RO 100 million.
Technical and commercial bids for Phase 1 of the dualisation project are due in by December 10, 2023.
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