SALALAH, JUNE 20
As Dhofar prepares to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors during the Khareef season, Oman’s most important north-south road corridor is undergoing one of the largest infrastructure upgrades currently under way in the country.
A field journey by the Oman Observer from Muscat to Salalah found extensive construction activity across multiple sections of the Sultan Said bin Taimur Road dualisation project, particularly along the Haima-Maqshan-Dawkah-Thumrait corridor, where contractors are working to complete the final 400 kilometres of dual carriageway linking Al Wusta and Dhofar.
The journey highlighted both the scale of the national investment and the challenges facing motorists travelling south during the construction phase.
Heavy equipment, construction vehicles, earthmoving works and road preparation activities were visible along various stretches of the route. While traffic continues to move normally across most sections, motorists are sharing parts of the corridor with ongoing construction works, temporary traffic arrangements and frequent truck movements associated with the project.
The observations come as Dhofar enters the final stages of preparation for the annual Khareef season, one of the Sultanate’s largest tourism events. Visitor numbers are expected to increase this year, with many travellers choosing to drive from Muscat and other governorates, while substantial numbers of GCC visitors are also expected to enter the governorate by road.
For many families, the journey to Dhofar is more than a means of transport. It is an integral part of the holiday itself, often involving long-distance travel across desert terrain before reaching the green mountains and cooler climate of southern Oman.
That makes road safety a critical consideration as traffic volumes begin to rise.
Some active construction zones will benefit from additional warning and directional signage to provide motorists with greater advance notice of work areas, lane adjustments and heavy vehicle movements. Enhanced temporary safety measures will be particularly beneficial for first-time visitors unfamiliar with the route.
The Sultan Said bin Taimur Road remains one of the country’s most strategic transport corridors, connecting northern Oman with Al Wusta and Dhofar while supporting tourism, trade, logistics and regional development.
The current dualisation project covers the remaining three sections between Haima and Thumrait. Section Three extends from Haima to Maqshan over 132.5 kilometres, Section Four runs from Maqshan through Qitbeet to Dawkah over 135 kilometres, while Section Five stretches from Dawkah to Thumrait over approximately 132.7 kilometres.
Awarded by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology at a cost exceeding RO258 million, the project includes dual carriageways, bridges, grade-separated intersections, drainage systems, emergency lay-bys and supporting infrastructure designed to improve safety and traffic flow along the route.
Progress is visible across large parts of the project area, reflecting the scale and pace of construction efforts. Once completed, the upgraded corridor is expected to significantly reduce travel risks, improve journey times and strengthen economic links between the northern and southern regions of Oman.
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