MUSCAT -- Well-known international consultancy firms are among several dozen firms that have their sights on a key contract to provide design consultancy services linked to the dualisation of the Nizwa-Thamrait highway. The project is being implemented in line with His Majesty the Sultan's Royal directives for the upgrading of this vital motorway -- linking the northern and southern parts of the country -- into an international-class dual carriageway.
The Ministry of Transport and Communications is overseeing the implementation of the dualisation project, which covers a roughly 750-kilometre stretch from Adam, in the Dakhiliya Region, to Thamrait roundabout in Dhofar Governorate. In a move to do away with intersections and crossings -- often the scene of horrific road mishaps -- grade separated interchanges will be built at some 10 locations along the route of the dualised carriageway.
Furthermore, a total of 40 underpasses/overpasses are envisaged for vehicles and pedestrians at key points along the motorway, it is learnt. Some 36 engineering consultancy firms have so far collected tender documents ahead of next month's deadline for the submission of bids for a contract to provide design consultancy and construction supervision services linked to this prestigious project.
Companies that have signalled a desire to participate in the bid include Dar Al Handasah, Pell Frischmann, Cowi & Partners, Bonifica, Modern Engineering, National Engineering Office, Parsons, Nespak, Consolidated Consultants, Ramboll, Al Amar Consulting, Typsa, WS Atkins, Louis Berger, Idrosse Infrastructure, Jurong, Al Manarah, Botek, Sering International, Gulf Spectrum, Conser & Partner, Hyder Consulting, ARSEA, Parsons Brinckerhoff, LibanConsult, HSS, Dorsch Gruppe, KEO, Technital, Arab Consulting, Werner Consult, EGIS Becom, Ibervais Ingenieros and Khatib & Alami.
While the alignment of the dualised carriageway is expected to mostly follow the route of the existing highway, detours will be necessary where it comes close to towns or developed areas along the route.
Improvements will also be necessary to the alignment where horizontal curves along the existing carriageway need to be upgraded in line with Oman's newly introduced road design code.
Completed in 1982 at the end of a mammoth three-year-long construction effort, the 789-km-long Nizwa-Thamrait was originally built as a single-carriageway. Over the years, the highway has undergone a number of refurbishments. Rehabilitation works are currently underway along the Haima-Thamrait section.
Targeted for implemented during the current 8th Five Year Plan, the dualisation project will lead to the establishment of the nation's single largest dualised carriageway, extending over 1,000 kilometres from Muscat to Salalah. While the section from Firq (Niwza) to Izz (Manah) has already been dualised, the stretch from Izz to Adam is currently the subject of a design consultancy study. Dualisation of the Thamrait-Salalah stretch was completed recently.
Given the scale of the dualisation venture, it is expected that up to three contractors will be selected to execute the project. Each contractor is likely to be assigned a roughly 250km length of the 750km-long stretch of the highway targeted for dualisation. The project will be implemented over a four-year timeframe.
Underlining the significance attached by the government to this project, street-lighting will be a feature of the entire Nizwa-Thamrait highway, thereby making night-time driving a safe option for all vehicles plying this vital motorway.
© Oman Daily Observer 2011
