The Tunisian government’s strategic plan has identified the renovation and modernization of ageing infrastructure as an absolute priority.
In this context, the African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved the financing of the third phase of the Road Infrastructure Modernization Project with a loan of €80.162 million, equivalent to TND 265 million, representing 92.98% of the total cost of the project, excluding taxes and duties, which amounts to TND 291.405 million, according to an AfDB report.
The project aims to improve the quality of the classified road network and user traffic conditions in the target areas. Its sectoral objective is to contribute to the promotion of an efficient and sustainable transport system to support development and create conditions conducive to the movement of goods and people in the regions concerned.
The same project is expected to improve the mobility of road users on 188.9 km of the classified road network by reducing the mobility difficulties related to the narrowness of the road and the dilapidated state of the road structures.
It will also contribute to the maintenance of the roads, while promoting inter- and intra-regional trade, thereby reducing social disparities and road accidents, and improving the resilience of the road infrastructure to the effects of climate change.
According to the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, the project includes 8 sections in 7 governorates. It concerns the consolidation of national road No. 12 from km 1.1 to 5.3 in the governorate of Sousse, the consolidation of regional road No. 81 from km 0 to 26 in the governorate of Kairouan, national road No. 2 from km 132 to 159 in the governorate of Sfax and national road No. 1 from km 12.5 to 18.9 in the same governorate.
It also concerns the widening of national road No. 15 from kilometer 166.7 to kilometer 202.7 in the governorate of Kasserine, national road No. 15 from kilometer 137 to 166 in the governorate of Gafsa, national road 18 from kilometer 30 to 63.3 in the governorate of Kef and national road 18 from kilometer 0 to 9.2 and from kilometer 15 to 22 in the governorate of Siliana.
A roadmap for 2025
The Ministry of Public Works and Housing has presented its priorities as part of the draft budget for 2025. Among the strategic axes, several essential projects for the country’s development have been launched.
With regard to the development of the road network, there are plans to modernize and extend the national road network in order to guarantee quality access for users, with a road or motorway within 60 km of every point in the country.
Flagship projects include the development of motorways, the construction of new roads linking inland regions with coastal areas, and the development of secondary roads to improve access to remote areas.
There is also flood protection and coastal zone management. In response to the challenges of climate change, the Ministry is implementing projects to protect cities from flooding and develop sustainable infrastructure to combat marine erosion.
These initiatives aim to protect both people and natural resources, while strengthening the country’s resilience to extreme weather events.
