Desert Highway project nearly completed — Omoush

AMMAN — Basic construction works of the Desert Highway rehabilitation project are finished, while completion in the entire scheme has reached 99 per cent, Public Works and Housing Minister Falah Omoush said on Saturday. 

"Upon the completion of works at Jurf Al Darawish detour during this week, the only works remaining are service roads at Al Husseiniya and Qatraneh districts and some secondary constructions," Omoush said in a ministry statement carried by the Jordan News Agency, Petra. 

The next challenge is preserving the highway and ensuring its sustainability through periodic maintenance, as the ministry will establish a special unit to follow up on the affairs of the Desert Highway due to its importance at the economic, social, administrative and tourist aspects, the minister said. 

He also added that a special committee is formed, consisting of the ministry and representatives of the supervising advisers on the project, the Public Security Directorate, the Civil Defence Department and other relevant ministries.

The panel had referred some recommendations to the Council of Ministers, including procedures that ensure motorists' adherence to traffic law, Omoush said.

Other recommendations included operating quick response stations at critical areas on the road with an ambulance and fire engine on stand-by to deal with any emergency, the minister noted. 

He also added that the ministry is currently coordinating with the Energy Ministry to install solar lights on the entire road, especially that street lights are only installed adjacent to populated areas.

The total cost of the project stands at $324 million, $138 million of which was a grant from the Saudi Fund for Development and $105 million a loan from the fund, while the remaining cost will be covered by the government, Petra reported. 

The Desert Highway is a vital route for the Kingdom, being the main link to Aqaba’s port.

It also connects Jordan with Saudi Arabia through Al Mudawwarah border crossing, and is used by Hajj and umra pilgrims.