Transform 14 major roadways to toll roads, Economic Modernisation Vision proposes

AMMAN — The Economic Modernisation Vision has urged to reconsider a project that could help upgrade and ensure sustainable finance for the Kingdom's main roads through introducing "a road user charge system", while the World Bank is examining a proposal made by the government pursuing the same goal.

The initiative to "improve the conditions of the main roads and covering operation costs by toll roads" is meant to upgrade transport infrastructure and services, as well as to develop a strategic public transport plan across Jordan, and increase the efficiency of road management using technology, according to Al Mamlaka TV.

In parallel with the launch of this initiative, the WB is considering a government proposal titled "sustainable road funding through imposing fees on road users", as the study is still in the design phase.

According to the proposal, the initial value of the project could reach $225 million, Al Mamlaka added.

Former Transport Minister Lina Shbeeb said that the ministry considered the notion of "road tolls" in 1995, but the lack of alternative roads, especially circular roads, hindered the implementation of the project.

A WB report, issued in 2019, indicated that the government is working on developing 14 main roads, 12 of which are highways and two circular roads with a total length of 1,379 kilometres, representing 18 per cent of Jordan's total road network to be integrated into the financial sustainability project, charging road users.

The report, made available to Al Mamlaka TV, has proposed to charge small-sized vehicles, some JD0.011 per kilometre and JD0.022 per kilometre for trucks.

Shbeeb said that these are moderate fees compared with other countries, but they might pose burdens on Jordanians.

She added that implementing the new project could generate 3,000 jobs annually and the number might double at the beginning of maintenance works at surrounding areas. 

The WB said that the government would make revenues of JD274 million over 30 years, through the privileges to be given to the private sector when investing in the improvement of the road network, she added, who was one of the participants in the workshops that led to the creation of the Economic Modernisation Vision.    

The report showed that the operational cost of the 14 main roads is estimated at JD798 million, while the total operational cost over 30 years is some JD1.98 billion.