The latest data released by the Ministry of Public Works and Housing have revealed that the number of new projects currently implemented in the field of roads is about 130, besides several small projects involving road network maintenance, worth a total of 2.3 billion dinars.
1.7 billion dinars for the highway Tunis-Jelma
Among the most important sites, there is the project of the Tunis-Jelma highway which extends over a length of 186 km linking (Mohammedia, Fouchana, Fahs and Kairouan to the limits of the region of Jelma from the governorate of Sidi Bouzid).
Work on the first tranche will begin during the month of July 2022, and the second tranche before the end of this year.
In total, 1.7 billion dinars have been allocated to this project.
The same data obtained by “African Manager” indicate that the rate of progress of the project of the interchange at the “Jardins d’El Menzah” (the interchange of the radial road X3 and the radial road X20 in the governorate of Ariana) has reached very advanced stages, and is currently at about 95% of completion.
Indeed, the work of the bridge will be fully completed soon, knowing that this project cost 60 million dinars.
Problems related to the network
The project to expand the southern entrance of the capital is part of the list of major road projects, which should reshape the face of the capital and help ease traffic congestion in Greater Tunis, knowing that this entrance is now considered a black spot in terms of traffic density, where almost 150 000 cars pass daily.
For years, the services of the Ministry of Public Works, in consultation with the various stakeholders, have tried to overcome all the difficulties to ensure the progress of work in the best conditions.
The Ministry says that the real estate problems are not the most important obstacle which prevents the progress of work, since the expropriation process has been completed some time ago, and it was agreed with the stakeholders of all the details of payment of financial compensation.
Regarding the southern entrance to the capital, it will be widened over a length of 11.5 km to make 4 x 2 lanes divided into 5 sections, in addition to the interchanges that will be completed on 6 km, aimed at protecting road users and improving the flow of traffic.
It should be noted that the road sees at peak times the passage of about 150,000 vehicles and 5 thousand trucks, knowing that this number will reach about 220,000 by 2042.
As for the total cost, it is 370 million dinars and the completion time is 3 years.
Regarding the Bizerte Bridge, the selection process of contractors is continuing. The Ministry confirmed that the start of the development work and entries of the work will be in a few weeks, at a cost of 150 million dinars, while the selection process of contractors who will take charge of the main bridge, is continuing.
The total cost of the project to build the new bridge of Bizerte is estimated at 750 million dinars, funded by the European Investment Bank and the African Development Bank. The first and third tranches of the project involve the completion of the northern and southern link roads of the main bridge, which is a highway that extends over 4.7 km of the southern part and is equipped with 3 interchanges. The northern part extends for 2.7 km, while the second stage, which concerns the main bridge, extends over 2.1 km and 56 meters high in relation to sea level.
