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Quriyat-Sur road opened

MUSCAT — Motorists going to Sur from Muscat will now be less fatigued, thanks to the new dual-carriage road from Quriyat to Sur that cuts down the four-hour travel to just two hours.

The new stretch of 90km road, which has toll collecting stations introduced for the first time in the Sultanate, was officially opened to public yesterday under the auspices of His Highness Sayyid Harib bin Thuwaini Al Said, assistant secretary-general of the Council of Ministers.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by several ministers, members of the State Council and Majlis Al Shura, undersecretaries, walis, sheikhs and dignitaries.

The new highway links Muscat with Al Sharqiyah region and the 60km first phase stretches from Daghmar roundabout in the wilayat of Quriyat to Tiwi and the second 30km part connects Tiwi and Sur.

With this road, the traffic will increase considerably and the interior areas will be better connected than before. What attracts most during the drive is the picturesque landscape with the blue deep sea on one side and the rugged mountain peaks on the other. A travel by the new road will be a pleasant experience for the people of Oman as well as tourists.

Although the project began in 2003, it was delayed due to adverse weather conditions in mid-2007 affecting some parts of the project.

Speaking at the ceremony, Sayyid Harib said the road will significantly boost tourism in the area which already has many tourism, heritage and historical sites.

“The road project will certainly boost tourism in this area. It’s a dream project and we are delighted that it has been opened to the motorists,” Sayyid Harib said.

Having two lanes in each direction, this would be part of a major road network for the movement of cargo transport that would enhance economic activities in the country. Besides serving the LNG gas terminal and Oman fertiliser plant and other projects in the Sharqiyah region, the new road will also facilitate easy access to major tourist spots, including Al Jinn Cave, Majlis Al Jinn Cave and Hawiyat Najim sinkhole.

With the old winding road from Quriyat to Sur that went around Dhagmar, Dhaba, Wadi Aribyin and Bemma turning obsolete after it suffered irreparable damage after the adverse weather conditions of June 2007, the alternative way to reach Sur and Muscat was the 320km stretch through Ibra.

The new route will now reduce the travelling time between Muscat (Darsait roundabout) and Sur (Bilad Sur roundabout) to 199km. The dual carriageway carriage with a 4.5m earth median in between would mean more safety for travelling.

Meanwhile, an 18km stretch which forms part of the Al Amerat-Quriyat dual road project, was opened for traffic on Tuesday. The stretch begins from ROP Centre roundabout at Al Amerat and extends to the area nearby Al Mandariah village in Quriyat.

The inauguration ceremony included a number of traditional songs and dance performed by art troupes from the wilayats of Sur and Quriyat. The music band of Royal Air Force of Oman also presented a number of performances.