Khasawneh kickstarts Durrah Border Crossing project in Aqaba

AMMAN — On behalf of His Majesty King Abdullah, Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for the Durrah Border Crossing project in Aqaba, linking Jordan to Saudi Arabia.

The project, valued at JD22 million, spans an area of 300 dunams and includes a built-up area of approximately 26,000 square metres. It is set to be completed over a two-and-a-half-year period, with the Aqaba Development Corporation overseeing its funding and management.

 The Durrah Border Crossing project is designed to serve the tourism, trade and transportation sectors between Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, according to a Prime Ministry statement.

It includes the construction of two separate lanes for vehicular traffic: One dedicated to commercial trucks and transport, and the other for smaller vehicles and buses catering to tourists and travellers. Once operational, it aims to accommodate up to 4 million passengers annually, according to the statement.

The project’s comprehensive plan, reflecting modern construction requirements while preserving Jordan’s cultural heritage, particularly that of Aqaba city, has been completed. This was achieved through a collaborative effort involving the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, the Jordan Customs Department, and other relevant authorities, the statement said.

The project, featuring a local Jordanian design, is set to commence its first phase in April, which includes the construction of infrastructure to the highest standards.

Khasawneh emphasised the importance of completing the project within the set deadlines and called for coordination and cooperation among all related bodies to ensure its successful completion.