Yemen’s Public Works & Highways Ministry has invited companies to prequalify for contracts to build the first part of the planned Saada-Aden Yemen International Corridor Highway.

The 710-kilometre-long road project, first envisioned in 2003, has been revived by the government as part of efforts to promote economic integration and political consolidation in the country. The plan involves building a new multi-lane expressway alongside Yemen’s existing major artery, which begins in the southern port city of Aden and passes through Taiz, Ibb, Dhamar, Sanaa, Amran and Saada, before reaching the Saudi Arabian border.

The first section of the new corridor highway to be built is a stretch of road between Aden and Taiz, which is of particular importance since it connects the areas of the former South and North Yemen.

International contractors have been invited to prequalify for the contracts to build the first part of phase one of the project, which covers a 55km stretch of the highway from Noubat Dokaim to Aden. The first contract is for the construction of the road from Noubat Dokaim to Al-Majhafa. The second contract is to build the stretch of road from Al-Majhafa to Aden.   

The civil works will include the main carriageways, interchanges, highway structures and bridges. It is expected that invitations for bid will be made in April. Contractors have until 26 January to submit prequalification documents for the project.