Jordan?s Ministry of Public Works would float a tender for the implementation of the desert highway rehabilitation project by March this year
Funded by the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), the project?s total cost is US$170mn, divided into a US$65mn grant signed last November and a US$105mn soft loan.
Public works minister Sami Halaseh noted that the ministry addressed the final funding agreement to the SFD, adding that floating the tender will take place immediately after the paperwork between the two sides is finalisation.
The agreement entails a complete rebuilding of the 220km road, which runs from the Queen Alia International Airport intersection to Maan Governorate, he added.
Work will be carried out over six stages, each covering around 30-35km of the road, over a total duration of 18 months.
Halaseh highlighted the desert highway as the main road linking the capital to the southern region, particularly the Aqaba Port, citing increased traffic on the road after the Syrian border was closed some two years ago.
The desert road extends from Amman to Aqaba and passes through Karak, Tafileh and Maan.
