Desert Highway project 75% complete — minister

AMMAN — Around 75 per cent of the Desert Highway project has been completed after opening 246 kilometres of the road for traffic in the three parts of the project, Public Housing Minister Falah Omoush said on Sunday. 

Omoush added that an additional 27-kilometre stretch is scheduled to be completed this month, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

The total cost of the project stands at $324 million, $138 million of which was a grant from the Saudi Fund for Development and $105 million a loan from the fund, while the remaining cost will be covered by the government. 

The minister noted that the completed parts of the highway are used as detours, noting that the ministry has adopted the “best international standards” to ensure safety and flow of traffic. 

The Desert Highway is a vital route for the Kingdom, being the main link to Aqaba’s port.

It also connects Jordan with Saudi Arabia through Al Mudawwarah border crossing, and is used by Hajj and umra pilgrims.