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Muscat promotes the city with development project serving the citizen with modern vision

Gardens and parks adding beauty to the place

• Best international engineering standards and specifications in design and roads projects execution with more than half a billion Omani Rials
• Upcoming projects serving citizens and activating economic and tourism life in city.

Muscat Municipality makes a double effort to promote services and facilities, set a certain vision taking into account the challenges of city and future prospects of development and execute continuous set of strategic and development projects through implementing comprehensive strategic plan covering various fields of municipal work. The most prominent fields of municipal works are roads , development of urban environment, construction of facilities, implementation of a network of walkways in housing areas and establishment of markets to meet needs of inhabitance as well as planting gardens, providing facilities and applying sustainable development standards.

Inauguration of more than 30 vital projects during two years

Throughout the last two years, the vital roads projects were completed such as Muscat highway which opened new prospects in city forming a turnaround in free traffic throughout the Sultanate with a distance of 55 Km and with connecting roads reached 28 Km supported with 12 free intersections penetrating mountain range in its three ways . The road connects Muscat with Al-Dakhlia governorate and Al-Batnah governorate. Also the two-way road of Amrat/Kiryat at a distance of 70 Km with 7 free intersections, the two-way road of Bucher/ Amrat at a distance of 14 Km penetrating rugged mountain range at length of 8 Km were completed. The project of road Wadi Adai/ Amrat at length of 8 Km with three lanes in each way was also completed. Moreover, three free bridges were constructed in Qurum district, Al-Nahda Street at Wadi Adai crossing, the surrounding areas of Al-Fath square and intersections of Seh Al-Malh road. The first phase of third lane addition from Al-Moaleh intersection to Seeb Palace was inaugurated. Also the two-way road of Bucher commencing from intersection No.(6) off Muscat highway road to Muscat Private Hospital Roundabout at length of 2 Km was inaugurated. The two-way road Gla/Al Ansab at length of 6 Km as inaugurated. Wadi Al-Arsh bridge connecting with the main road was inaugurated. The two-way road of Al-Khargia , rehabilitation A l-Bahry Street in Seeb and roads of fourth phase in Bucher at length of 12 Km were completed. Intersections of royal hospital, Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and other paving projects for interior roads in various provenances of Muscat.

Wholesale market of fish in Fulaij was also completed. More than 30 gardens, parks and children`s playground within project of (50) gardens in the continuous plan were established.

Intersection of Wadi Adai

After continuous efforts of work and in context of an important step to facilitate and improve traffic, Muscat Municipality has recently opened road of Wadi Adai bridge for comers from Roi and those who are heading to Amrat in front of traffic in two ways in free circuit. This comes after inauguration of first bridge heading to Amrat to Qurum since two months in two lanes in this direction where the bridge witnessed high flow of traffic movement in various tracks. The project was designed and executed according to modern in engineering standards and international technical specifications in roads design.

Project includes establishment of a network of new overhead bridges in Wadi Adai roundabout reaching highest levels of bridges intersection in international cities and transformation of the existing roundabout to four-way intersections provided with traffic lights.

The remaining part of project which reached advanced levels in execution includes transformation of the existing roundabout to four intersections provided with traffic lights and a new bridge above the existing one to serve the traffic from Wadi Adai to Seeb. A new bridge parallel to the existing bridge was executed to serve comers from rose and heading to Wadi Adai without any intersection with other traffic tracks. The overhead bridge was constructed in the second level above the existing bridge with iron bars instead of reinforced concrete as in the other bridges in order to accelerate the construction to reduce the crowd in the area.

The project also includes development of drainage systems, valleys sewage network in area and conversion of all electric and water services lines of project, in addition to refining the mountain tendencies existing next to the bridge. The project is provided with necessary lights to comply with new expansions.

Addition of a Third Lane to Seeb Street from Al-Moaleh Bridge to Bait Al Baraka Roundabout

The Municipality works persistently to accomplish project of third lane addition which extend from intersection of Al-Moaleh bridge to Baraka House roundabout in Seeb at length of 18 Km for each way. The project aims to promote capacity of street and make the flaw smoother along with increase safety of traffic and make it work in all conditions and climatic conditions.

The first phase of project includes more than (1) concrete ferries distributed into different places with maximum measures reaching (3m) width and (3 m) length to drain rainwater of smooth flow flowing in the region with 100 years frequency rate, in addition to providing the project with rainwater drainage channels from the street to streams of valleys.

Three crossings were constructed also under the main street for traffic of small and medium-sized vehicles in three sites along the road of this phase to facilitate transportation of vehicles between both north side and south road to connect free services roads as well as providing project with ground passageway for pedestrians in three places along the road for this phase.

The part (from intersection of El-Moaleh Bridge to intersection of El-Khod bridge) included construction of new bridge at length of (60) meters intersecting public street and South Service street linking South Hail with south Hail in addition to maintenance of existing pedestrian bridge.

A part of the current phase (Second) of project was executed by adding a third lane and expanding Dawar Kasr El Seeb and Dawar Beet El Baraka as well as constructing overhead bridge connecting the Public Street with EL-Arsh Street heading to Seeb market and surrounding areas without using El-Kasr roundabout as well as establishing concretes in El Gzira El Wasta along the Public Street commencing from intersection of El-Moaleh bridge to Bait El-Baraka Roundabout. This phase will construct another bridge for pedestrians linking north Almabalh with south Almabalh and provide all methods necessary for traffic safety along the street in addition to using ferries to transport pedestrians as well as afforestation of public street along the project.

Development project of Al Falaj (Darsait- Grand valley)

The General Directorate of Road studies development project of Darsait- Grand valley) road. The project includes construction of overhead bridges and a tunnel for crossing of vehicles in Al Falj Street along with development of all other intersections if this Street due to its density of traffic witnessed by Al Falj Street and intersections of it commencing from end of Qurum heights/ Darsait road to grand valley roundabout and due to the fact that most of the flaw is continuous from the beginning of the road to its end.

The project includes also expansion and extension of overhead bridge existing on the intersection existing next to Hassan ibn Thabit School till crossing of the intersection top that is in front of "El-Nogom Cinema" building.

A new tunnel will also be constructed to cross vehicles over intersection existing in front of "Sheraton Oman Hotel" and a four-way intersection will be implemented with lights above the tunnel to distribute the traffic into the surrounding areas. Also a tunnel or an overhead bridge will be constructed over grand valley roundabout along with transmission of roundabout to four-way intersection with traffic lights in addition to construction of two bridges for crossing of pedestrians.

The project will be provided with all methods necessary for traffic safety, lighting and methods of surface water drainage.

Intersection and two-way road of Al-Forosia Street in Seeb

The Municipality executes new bridge connecting Seeb Street with Al-Forosia Street between intersection of Khod to reduce traffic congestion over these intersections and provide other alternative tracks for seeb market and north areas of Seeb. The intersection area was elected to suit connection of public Seeb road with Al-Forosia Street northerly (which will be two-way road till entrance of Seeb market) at Khod Street- Al-Maabila (El-Salam Street) to serve Al-Maabila area southerly and facilitate the traffic between north and south. This comes in the context of plans of Muscat Municipality to solve problem of traffic congestion throughout the city and due to the increase of density of traffic in streets of Seeb especially roads coming and heading to Seeb market and its surrounding areas.

Project includes construction of a bridge over Seeb Street at a length of (100 m) to serve the traffic coming from Al-Forosia Street and heading to Muscat as well as traffic coming from El-Batnah and heading to Al-Forosia Street as well as an entrance and an exit will be provided to Al-Forosia Street from and to Seeb Street according to the current situation.

Project also includes construction of two-way road between this intersection and Khod Street- Al-Maabila (El-Salam Street) southerly and two-way road of Al-Forosia Street northerly to the entrance of Seeb market and construction of service roads over El-Salam Street and connection road between new intersection to facilitate ingress and egress to the surrounding areas.

Project also includes landscaping, lighting and provision of traffic safety means in addition to rainwater drainage means.

Soon, Execution of ( Al-Amrat-Wadi Lamih- yaty) Road

Project of Al-Amrat-Wadi Lamih- yaty Road prepared to be executed in the upcoming phase is considered as one of the most important economic and touristic project where the project contributes in enriching active tourism movement in Yaty and El-Sifa as well as it will have a positive effect on tourism projects in area as project of El-Gasa and El-Sifa mountain and other future projects as it connects many main roads such as Bucher road-Al-Amrat (connected with Muscat highway and Al-Amrat - Wadi Lamih- yaty-El-Sifa ) Road which is planned to be connected in the future with Kariat.

The project will contribute in creating new planning areas, facilitating traffic for residents in Yaty, Al-Khiran, El-Sifa, Wadi El Mih and opening economic and development prospects in the surrounding areas.

The road commences from Al-Mahgg roundabout to Yaty at a length of (16 Km) which is a two-way road including two lanes in each side along with Gzira Wastia and has a road connecting villages of Wadi Wl-Malih locating at both sides of the valley. The project is designed to suit all climate conditions and to be far from valleys streams. Project includes construction of means to drain valleys water, means of traffic safety and lighting according to international specifications and standards and Omani roads design model.

This road is considered as a better alternative than road passing through valley which makes it deviate as well as expose users to risls during crossing. Road serves all areas locating at Wadi-El-Lamih.

Roads Traffic Study

Muscat Municipality has recently completed preparation of comprehensive traffic study of Muscat governorate which included preparation of comprehensive plan for transportation addressing requirements of traffic in the scope of Muscat in the short, medium and long terms till 20130. The study came up with many results and recommendations that have been discussed recently in a working session with participation of a number of concerned government entities such as Supreme Council for Planning, General Directorate of Traffic in Royal Oman Police, Ministry of Transportation and Communications and Ministry of Housing where Company of Dar Engineering was assigned to prepare this study. Total kilometers of paved roads in Muscat is (4320) Km, lighted roads reached (2030 Km),number of lighted intersections is (61) intersections with traffic lights and these numbers are expected to increase due to the growing numbers of vehicles and expansions witnessed by city in real estate and economic sector and increasing population growth.

The study based on a huge number of statistics and field surveys which included interviews with card drivers, manual calculation classifying the vehicles and a study as well as a survey of parking areas, calculating vehicles turning movements and collecting data concerning traffic accidents in addition to updating roads inventory list data and estimating capacity of main roads and intersections in order to enter it a comprehensive database for all roads governorate. Multi-modal Traffic model was set which allow expectation of traffic in the future taking into account new development projects and population growth in addition to future roads plans.

The study came out with solutions to contribute in fulfilling future traffic application through insuring the infrastructure and services of transportation in Muscat governorate. The proposed solutions include:

Public Transportation Plan

The study includes proposal of an integral system for public transportation which will be executed within the next twenty years. It includes trucks, supply trucks transits, small trucks, light rail transit and ferries and other relative facilities such as park and ride stations and other transportation means. Municipality will soon offer a tender for consultants to carry out feasibility study of public transportation to study the public transportation tracks proposed in the current study and a detailed schedule required for execution in order to present the proposal to be approved by concerned entities in planning, the primary and detailed designs of public transportation transit and execute project according to the approved schedule.

Intersections Improvement

The current and the future service levels of main intersections are studied in Muscat in order to improve traffic over the intersections which are anticipated to witness a weak performance in the future. A number of solutions was examined which included changes in engineering forms, amendment of tracks, increase of capacity (through adding new lanes), allocation of free turning lanes, installation of traffic lights and construction of bridges or tunnels that serve the traffic.

New Roads and Improvement of Existing Roads

Most of the current road networks in Muscat are characterized by international specifications and subject to Continuous maintenance . there are studies and plans in this regard which are currently carried out by competent authorities. The current study aims to create additional developments which facilitate the communication and connection between various areas in Muscat along with improvement of capacity of roads through proposing new connections and increasing of lanes over the existing roads.

Procedures to Improve Traffic

The study proposed many other procedures to improve traffic and pedestrian traffic such as: drawing a comprehensive plan to improve the traffic, setting procedures to manage the traffic and determining tracks for pedestrians and tracks for trucks.

Cars Parking Areas

A large scale survey was carried out for five parking areas in Muscat in: North and South Roy district, El-Saroj, Seeb market, and commercial district in Qurum. It was found through the studies that most of parking areas included in the survey are crowded especially in rush hours. It is expected that the future parking demands will continue to press on the limited capacity of these parking areas, thus drivers will park in the impermissible areas.

The study came up with a number of proposed solutions for parking problems such as imposing or increasing charges on parking in the rush hours, determining the maximum time allowed for parking in the same place, constructing multi -storey or underground parking areas, establishing new parking areas, transmitting to other transportation means and addressing the illegal parking areas and creating flexible system of information with respect to parking areas.

Traffic Control Center

Municipality has recently offered a tender for consultants to design traffic control center which aims to improve traffic through connecting all intersections working with traffic lights with center and raising traffic safety through intersections and roads network control, following up the traffic condition and taking the necessary actions.

Phases of Study

Muscat Municipality, upon completion of roads lengths collection in Capital, has found that lengths of some roads were registered inaccurately as well as the manual counting of cars which carried out by a number of main roundabouts which reached (52) various sites in Capital. The questions directed to drivers included the start and end of the journey in addition to their address, professions and target of the journey as well as inquiring about if the journey is recreational or working journey and number of cars owned by driver in his home and the adults (over 18) and less than 18.

Municipality has clarified that number of interviews was done with drivers from 6:30 A.M to 8:00 P.M for successive two month at two different places in one day in Muscat Municipality.

Muscat Municipality has mentioned that the study aims to establish a scientific base for future anticipations that were studied and based on a large scale of updated data concerning future traffic volume, determination of its headings which will lead to determination of needs of government of roads network within the next twenty years to ensure identification of type, times, volumes, reasons and effects of traffic as well as determination of weaknesses in roads network, identification of crowded places and methods of their support and addressing and determination of roads and future connections required to cope population and vehicles growth, in addition to setting a program to determine execution priorities of roads network improvement procedures and determination of governorate needs to improve public transportation.

The two main components of the first phase are data collecting then updating data of roads inventory list by which the capacity of main roads, intersections and roundabouts could be estimated to enter them in a large scale database that includes all roads in governorate and present it to the specialist easily to issue necessary data. It also includes development of a model relating to Muscat governorate roads network through computer, comparison of current traffic requirements with capacity of roads network in addition to determination of sites and current traffic problems nature of roads network as well as estimation of traffic growth and parking areas to know the anticipated growth in traffic within the next years to set a structural plan to accommodate traffic needs in Muscat governorate.

The second phase based on results of first phase and alternative solutions to improve roads networks. It includes some procedures such as construction of roads and new connections and improve the existing ones to raise the traffic efficiency.

The study came up with a stimulation model of cars movement over Muscat governorate roads noting that it was taken into consideration addition of population and vehicles growth rates over stimulation model 2030 as well as distribution of lands annually in addition to growth rate in annual and national income through which one annual growth rate will be anticipated.

It is worth mentioning that the traffic study executed by Muscat Municipality is considered as the third study of its kind after structural plan of Muscat governorate where the Municipality has carried out two traffic studies resulted in some development projects which added cultural character on Muscat where it was the first in 1985 and second in 1993. The study 0f 2011 comes after the huge increase in growth rates in population to estimate the current and future conditions of capacity and performance level of roads network in governorate.

A comprehensive Study to drain rainwater in Muscat governorate

Muscat Municipality has prepared a comprehensive and integral study to drain rainwater in Muscat governorate and it was assigned to competent consulting company . the study included collection of available information and data concerning valleys tracks, volume and flow water quantities and survey of existing drainage system and preparation of structural plan of needs of governorate of surface water drainage methods in governorate.

This study is considered as a reference which helps in setting sustainable solutions of drainage problems and valleys in district, determining valleys tracks and proficiency of existing drainage methods and setting main solutions of drainage problems in valleys and main drainages. It also prepare detailed studies on stages to include all areas of governorate and they will be executed according to the priority of need of area,

The project includes a detailed study of area and surface water drainage network and a hydraulic model to know water movement in area and creation of executive solutions to drain it.

Muscat Municipality wishes to complete a group of detailed studies in the light of structural study to be able to take sufficient solutions to protect city, residents and facilities from risks of the floods.

New channels of surface drainage.

Together with works related to bridges and Wadi ADai intersection construction project, works of rainwater are continued to be executed which are represented in a ferry of two units extending from El-Nahda Hospital to Wadi Adai stream at a length of (1200) m and (2x4) m for each unit and the water stream is determined by supporting walls as for existing stream which is extended from Wadi Adai roundabout till ferries intersecting the public Street next to Honda Cars Agency with extension of narrow place in stream and extension of ferries intersecting the Public Street in front of Honda Agency and El-Khidma Street at area of (9m2) to (48 m2).Municipality also studies construction of a third channel to drain water which passes behind El-Nahda Hospital and behind General Directorate of Wastes to Wadi Adai.

There is also a hydraulic and planning study for Al-Hamrua and Roy districts taking into account valleys streams and coral drainage and re-organizing and preparing the area in addition to surface rainwater drainage to create radical solutions of repeated problems due to effects of valleys flow and coral in area. The new roads connecting to channels and rainwater drainage systems are characterized by high level of water and present accumulation of rains and ponds on roads.

Upcoming projects

Hawiyat Najm tourism project

It is an integral project locating at Hawiyat Najm at Kuriat provenance, it is characterized by overlooking the Oman Sea and diversity of place geography with harmony of nature between rocky terrain and coastal soft sand and moderation of climate as well as the project locates on main road which connects between Kuriat and Sor. It includes a tourism resort that includes number of hotel facilities such as restaurants and cafes in addition to 67 rooms and 20 luxurious suites for housing and comfort and a public garden that includes a chain of circular oases consisting of small gardens in the form of scattered stars of abundant shadows in addition to trees and other plants. The idea of buildings design inside this area is derived from circular form which represents one of the features of Hawiyat Najm.

At end of the garden, there will be a rocky gap which represents water spring known as " Hawiyat Najm" while the hanging bridges allow arrival of water to practice swimming and other recreational activities and exciting sports.

Al-Khobr Market Project

The project locates at the same site of previous market and it consists of an hotel and offices where area of rooms and suites is (10170 m2) and area of offices is (4909 m2).

The area of shops and market is (4025 m2) and area of parking areas and ride transits is (8324 m2 ). The area of shops, restaurants, cafes and facilities is (5003 m2). Total number of rooms and suites is (102).

Central Citrus Development.

The current Central market of vegetables and fruits in El-Molaih El-Ganobia became unable to accommodate extension and suffers from crowed due to the growing increase in markets services demand. Accordingly, Muscat Municipality plans to transfer the current wholesale market of vegetables and fruits from El-Maoaleh district to El-Falij district and utilize market area according to the first phase of development as a retail market including the sale of vegetables and fruits in addition to other products and promote its role as an Omani products outlet of vegetables and fruits along with establishment of some service facilities in market such as walkways, planting the trees, benches, restaurants and cafes and establishment of a large air conditioned hall to sell vegetables and fruits and building for government ministries and institutions, service offices, medical lab, mosque, parking areas, children playground and other establishments. The second phase of development, it includes construction of real estate multi -purposes establishments including offices, apartments, shops and other service facilities. The third phase includes construction of an hotel and shops.

Wholesale Markets Compund in Al-Falj

A new wholesale market will be established to sell vegetables and fruits in Al-Falif in Al-Barkaa provenance at area of (100,000 m2), it includes refrigerators at area of (21,600 m2), stores, buildings for sorting and re-packaging at area of (50,700 m2). It also includes an area for auctions, umbrellas to present and sell fruits, vegetables and onion with area of (10,000 m2) and administrative offices including market administration office, royal Oman police, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and laboratory offices with area of (4,000 m2,) area of vegetables, fruits and weigh inspection with area of (1,200 m2) and fuel station with area of (1,000 m2).

Used cars Market in Al-Falij

The total area of project is (82,500 m2). It includes open showrooms to sell the used cars, area of each showroom ranges between (200 m2) to (600 m2), an office of all services is annexed to it in addition to parking areas are to be sold whether shadowed or not with total area of (19,500 m2), showrooms to sell new cars with area of (49,500 m2), closed showrooms with administrative offices to sell and purchase used cards, cars pre-sale inspection center with area of (4000 m2), an area to sell cars in the public auctions with area of (1500 m2), apartments (8000m2) and support services of market such as workshops to repair cars and shops to sell cars accessories and cars lubrication workshops.

Total number of used cars showrooms is (51) showrooms distributed into various provinces of Muscat governorate. The market which will be constructed at Al-Falij area aims to collect used car selling showrooms in one place far from streets and public facilities with technical requirements and give consumer a real opportunity to choose between offered cars with competitive prices.

The importance of project derives from as being a critical demand to organize used cars purchasing and selling markets where the current situation with respect to these markets has negative impacts on city appearance and comfort of the residents due to lack of controls which regulate these markets and sale and purchase process in them.

Recreational Touristic Project in Bouchar Sand

The site which is (300062) square meters is allocated in the first phase in Bouchar Sand to be a natural park in cooperation with concerned entities of Ministry of Housing, Environment and Climate Affairs. Muscat Municipality prepared a technical and design study related with development works of park, aesthetic nature of the sand dunes characterized by site and topographic location of heights and slopes. The project includes three main components which are: public garden including multiple facilities and an hotel.

Tivoli Amusement Park Project

It is a recreational city to create a relaxation place for families and children of citizens, residents and tourists for enjoyment and entrainment. The project will be constructed in Seeb with area of (2,200,000). The city includes restaurant, rides, skill games, restaurants, cafes, show room, garden and multi-purpose shops.