Minister of Transport inspects Sharqiyah Expressway project

Muscat: Minister of Transport, Communications and IT, Eng. Said bin Hamoud Al Ma’awali, inspected the second part of Phase II of the Sharqiyah Expressway project, and the adjoining area. The Minister suggested for the construction of a port near Sur Industrial City. 

He was accompanied by Salim bin Mohammed Al Nuaimi, the Undersecretary for Transport, Dr Yahya bin Bader bin Malek Al Mawali, the Governor of the Governorate of South Al Sharqiyah, and several specialists from the ministry.

During his visit, the minister inspected the remaining 40km section of the project, situated between the wilayats of Al Kamel Wa Al Wafi and Sur. The minister took part in a briefing of the project’s progress and the reasons behind the slow progress and discussed its time frame. He directed those executing the project to speed up its pace to open it for traffic as soon as possible.

Al Sharqiyah Expressway is a major national road, pivotally linking Muscat Governorate with the governorates of North and South Al Sharqiyah, passing through Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, and on to Al Wusta Governorate and the Dhofar, in addition to serving the wilayats located near it.

The project was authorised due to the increase in vehicular traffic on the old single road. It bolsters its capacity to secure the highest traffic safety elements and ensure comfortable and safe road travel.

 Earlier this year, the ministry opened to traffic a 206 km long stretch of the Sharqiyah Expressway, with the total length of the road spanning 246 km. It contains two vehicle underpasses, bridges, flyovers, street lighting, and all the required traffic safety components.

The Minister of Transport, Communications, and IT, also conducted a visit to Sur Industrial City to review the port project’s suggested location within. While there, he attended a briefing presented by specialists from Madayn (The Public Authority for Industrial Estates), with its CEO, Hilal Bin Hamad Al Hasni, about the suggested port project’s location, as well as facilities and services.