MUSCAT: The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology is implementing 61 road projects across the Sultanate of Oman under the Eleventh Five-Year Plan, with around 22 projects already more than 70 per cent complete as the government accelerates investment in transport infrastructure to strengthen connectivity and support economic growth.
The projects include new highways, rehabilitation and upgrading of existing roads, and strategic infrastructure works aimed at improving links between governorates while supporting the logistics, tourism and industrial sectors in line with Oman Vision 2040.
Dr Saif bin Saeed al Sinani, Director General of Planning at the ministry, said 2026 had been an exceptional year for road development. During the first half of the year, the ministry inaugurated several major projects, including the dual carriageways of Sultan Taimur Street and Al Farouq Street, the Itin Tunnel Interchange, road paving works in Muqshin, rehabilitation of the Tawi Atir-Wadi Rakah-Jabjat road, the Al Aflaj road in Al Mudhaibi, and infrastructure repairs in areas affected by tropical weather systems.
The second half of the year will see the completion of several strategic schemes, including Sultan Turki bin Said Road between Al Kamil and Sur, rehabilitation of Sultan Thuwaini bin Said Road between Bidbid and Nizwa, Wadi Bani Khalid Aqaba Road, Harweeb-Al Mazyouna-Mitan Road, Al Mughsail Bridge, the Taqah-Madinat Al Haq Road, Saih Al Khairat-Shisr Road, Al Ma'moura-Taqah Road, improvements to the Anatoukh pass in Dhalkut and the coastal road between Rakhyut and Dhalkut.
Sections of several ongoing projects are also scheduled to open before the end of the year, including 6 kilometres of the Sohar Free Zone Link, 30 kilometres of the Al Namaa Poultry Company road in Dhank, 6 kilometres of the Al Hazm-Al Rustaq road, 12 kilometres of the Gas Company Roundabout-Bilad Sur dual carriageway, 7 kilometres of Sultan Taimur bin Faisal Road, 10 kilometres of the Izki-Nizwa dual carriageway and 28 kilometres of the Al Abila-Al Fayyad road.
The ministry is also preparing to launch several new projects during the second half of the year, including the first phase of the dual carriageway leading to the Empty Quarter in Al Dhahirah Governorate, completion of the Sant-Wadi Al A'la road, rehabilitation works in Jabal Al Akhdar and road paving projects serving villages in North Al Sharqiyah Governorate.
Among the largest schemes due to begin before the end of 2026 are the 132-kilometre Sinaw-Mahout-Duqm road in Al Wusta Governorate and the expansion of the Muscat Expressway.
Dr Al Sinani said the Sultan Faisal bin Turki Road linking Dibba, Khasab and the Niabat of Lima in Musandam Governorate had exceeded 73 per cent completion and would strengthen connectivity while supporting tourism and economic activity.
Construction is also progressing on the 400-kilometre Sultan Said bin Taimur Road between Haima and Thumrait, together with the remaining 37-kilometre section before Haima. Parts of the highway are expected to open during the first half of 2027, with the entire project scheduled for completion in the second half of 2028. The road will form a strategic transport corridor linking Dhofar Governorate with the rest of the Sultanate of Oman.
Dhofar continues to witness significant investment through projects including the 33-kilometre Raysut-Al Mughsail dual carriageway, the 46-kilometre Saih Al Khairat-Shisr Road, the 86-kilometre Shisr-Bithna Al Hashman Road, the 210-kilometre Harweeb-Al Mazyouna-Mitan Road, 170 kilometres of paved roads in Muqshin and several rehabilitation projects, including the Hafouf-Dhalkut-Khadhrafi Road, Al Shuwaimiya and Anatoukh passes, Al Ma'moura-Taqah Road and the coastal road between Rakhyut and Dhalkut.
Elsewhere, the ministry has launched the Al Mouj Street and 18th November Street development project in Muscat, which includes widening both roads to three lanes in each direction and replacing roundabouts with signalised intersections to improve traffic flow.
In South Al Sharqiyah, the 52-kilometre Sultan Turki bin Said Road linking Al Kamil, Al Wafi and Sur has reached 91 per cent completion and is expected to open before the end of the year. Other ongoing projects include Wadi Bani Jabir Road, the Ismailiya-Mahlah-Ghabra Al Tam Road, road links in Al Qabil, the 32-kilometre Jebel Shams road, the 42-kilometre Al Abila-Al Fayyad road, a 70-kilometre road serving Al Namaa Poultry Company in Dhank, the first phase of Sultan Taimur bin Faisal Road linking North and South Al Batinah, the Barka Market and Al Suwaiq links, Al Suwaiq Bridge, the Khazaen Economic City link and the Sohar Free Zone Link. The Izki-Nizwa dual carriageway has reached 33 per cent completion and is scheduled for completion in 2029.
The ministry has allocated more than RO 230.00 million for periodic road maintenance, rehabilitation and repairs to infrastructure damaged by adverse weather, reinforcing its commitment to maintaining a safe, efficient and sustainable national road network. — ONA
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
