Amman, December 18 (Petra) – Minister of Public Works and Housing, Maher Abul Samen, conducted a field tour Wednesday to inspect several road projects in the southern governorates of Ma'an and Aqaba.

According to a ministry statement, Abul Samen reviewed progress on the maintenance and expansion project of the "Ma'an-Mudawara-Jafr" Bridge Road towards the Shidiya Triangle, spanning 31 kilometers. A similar section extends from the Shidiya Triangle to the phosphate mines, with each segment undergoing expansion and maintenance to increase road width by approximately 3 meters, resulting in a total width of 10 to 11 meters. The project includes installing solar-powered lighting poles at the Shidiya intersection, as well as curbstone work.

The ministry initiated maintenance and expansion efforts in September through two separate tenders to expedite work, achieving an overall progress rate of about 27%.

The minister also inspected the "Mudawara-Ma'an" road maintenance project, which began in late July and is currently 35% complete.

Abul Samen stressed the importance of accelerating the work and mobilizing resources to reduce completion time, given the road's significance in facilitating economic activities and passenger movement between Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

The works involve rehabilitating a 27-kilometer stretch from the Mudawara Border Center towards Ma'an. This includes milling the surface asphalt layer to a depth of at least 5 cm, sealing cracks, repairing any asphalt depressions, and repaving the road with two layers of asphalt mix totaling 13 cm in thickness, adhering to the highest international engineering standards. Safety measures include installing signs, reflectors, painting, roadside barriers, and enhancing warning and guidance signals.

In Aqaba Governorate, Abul Samen inspected the progress of the Rum-Rashidiya Road expansion and rehabilitation project, spanning approximately 19 kilometers. The project features a dedicated 2-meter-wide lane for bicycles to promote tourism in the area.

The project involves excavation, culverts, rock cutting at curves, sub-base layers, asphalt mixes, painting, and safety installations. Valued at JD2.9 million and funded by the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, it is 55% complete and is expected to be finished in the first quarter of the next year.

Additionally, Abul Samen reviewed the maintenance and rehabilitation of the Desert Highway (Mreigha-Ras Al-Naqab), a 14-kilometer stretch with a total cost of JD3.25 million. The project, which is about 60% complete, is scheduled for completion by February. It involves milling the surface asphalt layer, sealing cracks, repairing depressions, repaving with two layers of asphalt mix totaling 13 cm in thickness, and enhancing road safety with signage, reflectors, painting, and barriers.

//Petra// AF


18/12/2024 23:38:17