Syria's International Road Upgrades Cost $700-800 Million

Muhannad Mohammad Alfa, head of the Roads and Transport Committee at the Syndicate of Engineers (Damascus branch), said international road network rehabilitation projects are being carried out with Syrian funding and capabilities at a total cost of between $700 million and $800 million. He spoke on Al-Ikhbariah television.

Project Objectives

According to Alfa, the projects aim to strengthen Syria's position as a commercial and logistics corridor, and a strategic alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, linking Iraq with both Turkey and Jordan.

He explained that the ongoing works serve the energy, trade and supply chain sectors, particularly given the heavy movement of oil tankers from Iraq toward the Banias refinery.

Standards and Equipment

Alfa noted that directives from the Ministry of Transport and the General Establishment for Road Transport require the highest international standards, as adopted in the Syrian Executive Code.

He said paving works call for modern equipment, models made after 2018, including:

• Laser-guided pavers
• Steel scrapers
• Rubber-tyred rollers

He stated that this is intended to ensure precise execution and durable road infrastructure under heavy loads and international transit traffic.

Nasib-Damascus Highway Contract

On 22 September, the General Establishment for Road Transport signed a contract with the Kuwaiti Joint Group for Contracting (CGC) to maintain and rehabilitate the Nasib-Damascus international highway. The signing was attended by Transport Minister Yarub Badr, Daraa Governor Anwar al-Zaabi and the Establishment's director, Moaz Najjar.

Minister Badr stated that the Establishment had sought international bids to rehabilitate the main sections of Syria's central road network, in order to draw on the expertise of specialised contractors and raise road standards, according to the Ministry's publication.