The 52-km Haffet-Wadi Saa dual carriageway, through the Empty Quarter desert linking Oman and Saudi Arabia, is all set to open
According to a report by Oman government?s implementation, support and follow up unit (ISFU), the new road connection aims to achieve less traffic in the border crossings, solving the issue of delays and congestion at Buraimi and Dhairah crossings.
here are often delays and congestion at the Buraimi and Dhahira border crossings for trucks while crossing into the UAE to reach the markets there and further into Saudi Arabia. Therefore, the initiative focuses on improving the quality of two roads, one linking Hafeet and Wadi Sa?a and the other linking a bypass road around Ibri, the report added.
Apart from improving the connectivity in the GCC region, the new road project is further expected to boost the regional trade by connecting the villages and the ports.
Being called an ?engineering marvel? as the project is built through the sands of the Empty Quarter, the new road is set to cut more than 800-km of the current 1,638-km long journey between Oman and Saudi Arabia. For this, more than 130mn cu/m of sand were removed.
The source further noted that the initial road designs were completed and no-objection certificates were received from the stakeholders. Approvals from the Ministry of Transport and Communication (MoTC) are in progress.
