Oman’s Transport and Communication Ministry is seeking bidders for a contract worth an estimated $100m for phase two of the dualisation of a road between Ibri, Ad Dariz, and Miskin. Phase two covers an 18 kilometre stretch of road. The deadline for submitting the tender is 23 December.

Oman has recently issued a flurry of large road contracts, as it looks to bolster its economy by developing more modern and integrated transport infrastructure. The government has earmarked $8bn for the construction of 12,704km of road projects as land transport continues to be the main means of getting around the sultanate.

In October, the ministry floated a tender for a contract worth an estimated $150m for phase two of the dualisation of a 34km road between Ibri and Yanqul. The deadline for submitting the tender is 16 December.

In August, local Desert Convoy, in partnership with Oman’s Khalid bin Ahmed & Sons, won a $14.6m contract for phase one of the project, which entailed dualising a 6km stretch of the road.   

The biggest road scheme being built is the 260km Batinah Expressway, which will be Oman’s first dual four-lane road. The $2.6bn project will connect Sohar, Muscat and the UAE, and is expected to reduce the travel time between Muscat and the UAE border by at least an hour.