Al Rajhi CompanyAl Rajhi Company

"The coastal road project will not only support the socio-economic development of the Batinah region on a major scale, but equally, it will enhance living standards of coastal communities. New modern residential zones, complete with all social amenities, will be built to house people displaced by the road," Eng Al Afani told the Observer.

In addition, a series of traditional souqs will be developed in all the wilayats through which the coastal road crosses, according to the official. These souqs, featuring sections for trade in fish, vegetables, animal auctions and other related activities, will be tourist and architectural landmarks in their own right. Designed to modern standards, with ample car parking and pedestrian corridors, the traditional souqs will serve as fine civic adornments along the redeveloped coastal stretch.

"The project to develop traditional souqs is being carried out in cooperation with the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources. The conceptual design for the first such souq at Saham is already over, and the detailed design is now underway," Eng Al Afani said. The construction of the road itself is expected to commence in early 2009, after the process of relocating and rehousing thousands of people displaced by the venture is fully on track.

More than 10,000 homes will be affected by the project, according to the official. Relocating and rehousing them, he said, will take precedence over the implementation of the road itself. "The Supreme Committee is committed to ensuring that any impact on local communities is fully mitigated before construction work begins in earnest," the Director General stressed.

Recently, Saudi Arabia's Al Rajhi CompanyAl Rajhi Company was awarded the contract to execute the first phase construction of a total of 2,200 homes for people displaced by the project at a cost of RO 148 million. Construction of the homes will be undertaken in phases over a three-year timeframe to allow for the smooth and seamless relocation of the affected communities to their new residences.

This staggered timeline, Al Afani said, would also allow for the Supreme Committee and other relevant authorities to address the needs and desires of those displaced by the project, with regard to their choice of relocation, home construction requirements, and so on. The 240-km dual carriageway will run from Barka to Shinas, opening up vast areas of the Batinah region to economic development and investment.

"The preliminary design has been finalised, and we will shortly begin the final detailed design prior to tender and project execution. A consultant will also be appointed to manage the project," Al Afani said. Designed to international standards, the coastal road is proposed to be a dual carriageway with a minimum of 80 metres from the high tide point. The alignment veers further inwards where there are existing utilities along the coast.

Although conceived as a limited access dual carriageway, intersections are planned at intervals connecting the carriageway with the wilayat centres, major built-up areas, existing large undertakings like ports, marine facilities, fishing harbours, power plants, Ministry of Defence facilities, and so on. In addition, access will be provided on either side of the carriageway to areas designated for future tourism development.

Traverses wilayats
Authorities have approved a corridor along which the coastal road will run as it traverses the wilayats of Barka, Al Musannah, Al Suwaiq, Al Khaburah, Saham, Sohar, Liwa and Shina. In some places the alignment crosses many built-up areas but bypasses seaports and jetties and other key infrastructure. It will also skirt areas designated for future tourism zones or other projects of national or strategic importance. Envisioned en route are a number of grade-separated bridges, roundabouts and signallised intersections.

In Sohar, two bridges across the carriageway will allow for uninterrupted traffic flows, while grade-separated intersections at the Port of Sohar will cater for heavy traffic. Service roads will be constructed wherever necessary, while pedestrian corridors and landscaping will be added features of the project, Al Afani said. When completed, the road project is expected to contribute enormously to economic growth and infrastructure development along the length of the populous Batinah coast. It will provide new impetus to the region's agricultural and fisheries potential.

Furthermore, the project will open up pristine swathes of beachfront to tourism and other economic opportunities, as well as bring development to small coastal towns and communities. Opportunities for investment in restaurants, lodgings, groceries, and other commercial establishments will mushroom in the wake of the road project, thereby supporting local employment and income generation, the official pointed out.

By Conrad Prabhu

© Oman Daily Observer 2008

 

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