The Bejaia public works department is set to launch a national tender for the rehabilitation and upgrade of the 6,200-meter-long Kherrata tunnel. According to the wilaya's communication officer, the project was included in the 2019 decentralized sectoral program. The Bejaia public works sector has been allocated 200 billion centimes to initiate the renovation work before the end of the year. This is the first tranche of a total budget of 480 billion centimes required for the rehabilitation and modernization of the tunnel.
The tunnel, which was first opened in 1988, has significantly deteriorated, with several security system failures. The lighting is defective, and the ventilation system experiences recurring breakdowns, making it difficult for drivers to navigate the tunnel due to poor visibility caused by ineffective exhaust gas and smoke evacuation. An Spanish study commissioned for the tunnel's renovation highlighted issues with waterproofing and concrete vaults, which cause rainwater infiltration.
The planned upgrade will address civil engineering and coating issues, rehabilitate the waterproofing system, and improve drainage, lighting, and electrical power supply. The ventilation, smoke extraction, and firefighting systems will also be upgraded. Additionally, the video surveillance, emergency call network, and fire detection systems will be modernized. The tunnel's control systems, vehicle counting, variable signaling, and sound systems will also be improved.
Bejaia Wali Ahmed Maabed recently inspected the tunnel and stated that nearly all equipment will be renovated and modernized. The tunnel is located on the RN9, connecting Bejaia to Setif. The upgrade is crucial, as several accidents, including fatal ones, are reported annually within the tunnel.
The Kherrata tunnel's upgrade is not the only infrastructure project in the region. The modernization of the old Kherrata gorge road, which includes three tunnels, is ongoing. However, the project has faced delays due to a labor dispute. The Turkish company OZGÜN, responsible for the project, had laid off 170 workers, prompting a strike.
The Kherrata gorge road project, launched in November, aims to upgrade the 7.6 km road to two bidirectional lanes. Once completed, the project is expected to improve traffic flow between Bejaia and Setif, reducing congestion on the RN9, which handles over 22,000 vehicles daily, with peaks of 30,000 vehicles per day during the summer.
The Bejaia public works department expects to complete the three-tunnel project by the end of December. The delayed completion of the Kherrata gorge road project and the upcoming upgrade of the Kherrata tunnel demonstrate the Algerian authorities' efforts to improve the region's infrastructure and road safety.
Key points
- Algeria's Bejaia province to invest 480 billion centimes in Kherrata tunnel upgrade.
- The tunnel's upgrade will address multiple security system failures and improve road safety.
- The project is part of a larger effort to improve infrastructure in the region, including the modernization of the Kherrata gorge road.
