Rustaq residents hope for expressway spinoff
A new 45-kilometre stretch of the Batinah Expressway, was officially opened by Dr. Ahmed Al Futaisi, Minister of Transport and Communications
BARKA: New development opportunities could become a reality for Wilayat Rustaq, as a new portion of the Batinah Expressway is opened to traffic.
Dr. Ahmed Al Futaisi, Minister of Transport and Communications, officially opened the new 45 kilometre portion from Barka to Al Hizm, Rustaq on Sunday, signalling a new era in development for the town.
Speaking exclusively with the Times of Oman, Wali of Rustaq, Sheikh Hilal Al Habsi said the road will create many development opportunities in Al Rustaq.
“This project is one of the important strategic projects. From this, we hope that there will be urban expansion and development in different sectors, such as tourism, economic development, logistics and establishing industrial areas along the road”.
“With regards to residents in the town, it will assist them in travelling to and from South Al Batinah, especially Al Rustaq. Also, many of the residents travel to and from Muscat daily, as well as residents in other governorates who travel to Al Rustaq for work, or otherwise. It will cut their travelling time,” added Al Habsi.
The road will also provide an alternative means for traffic along the Al Batinah dual carriageway, especially for traffic coming from Al Rustaq, and ease the congestion originating from the Ibri-Rustaq road, thus making the trip to Muscat easier and more convenient.
Further, it will serve a number of villages, including tourism sites such as Al Abdyadh Villages, Al Aqdah, Jamaa and the Khubat Al Qudan sand dunes.
“Despite the economic crisis, there are still ongoing projects and services that our government is working on, and this road is considered an important road, especially for Al Rustaq. It reduces so much distance,” said Zayyid Al Abri, Shura Council member representing Al Rustaq.
“[The road] will also open many opportunities for construction for commercial or industrial activities, and will serve the logistics area in Barka,” he added.
When asked how lives will be made easier for commuters in Rustaq, he said, “It is a very lively road and will change a lot of things positively in the wilayat. It also assists travel between South Al Batinah Governorate and Muscat Governorate,” said Al Abri.
“It will create a lot of commercial activity, as it is an important road. There will be petrol stations and commercial centres. The road is also closer to Rustaq, so it will serve us,” he added. With phase 1 complete, from the end of Muscat Expressway in Halban until Rustaq, the Ministry of Transport and Communications will continue its efforts in completing the Batinah Expressway, which will see the road extended until Khatmat Al Malaha. The 272 kilometre expressway is expected to be complete by the end of 2017.