Construction on the Sultan Said bin Taimur Road dualisation project between Haima and Thumrait has reached approximately 24% completion, authorities announced on July 18. The project involves upgrading the existing highway to a dual carriageway over a total distance of around 400 kilometers, enhancing connectivity in southern Oman’s Dhofar Governorate.
The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology is overseeing the work, which is progressing according to the planned three-year timeline. Contracts for the final three sections of the project, valued at over RO 258 million, were signed in May 2025. Each section is expected to be completed within 36 months from the start date.
The project comprises three sections: Section Three covers 132.5 kilometers from Haima to Maqshan; Section Four extends about 135 kilometers from Maqshan through Qitbit to Dawkah; and Section Five stretches roughly 132.5 kilometers from Dawkah to Thumrait. Upon completion, the route will create a continuous dual carriageway connecting Haima to Thumrait and onwards to Salalah, facilitating smoother and safer travel through the region.
Eng Khamis bin Mohammed al Shammakhi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry for Transport, highlighted that the presence of contractors, machinery, and technical teams along the corridor has also bolstered ongoing maintenance efforts on the existing road. This maintenance is critical as the current route remains operational, supporting daily traffic that includes local residents, tourists, buses, commercial vehicles, and freight moving between Dhofar and other parts of Oman.
The improvement project carries particular significance during the annual khareef season, when many visitors from Oman and neighboring Gulf countries travel to Dhofar to witness the region’s unique monsoon climate. Enhanced road infrastructure aims to accommodate the seasonal influx more effectively, ensuring safer and more reliable access.
Overall, the dualisation project is expected to modernize transportation links within southern Oman, promoting economic growth and improving travel conditions along this vital route.