The Algerian government has announced that work on the final tunnel of the Kherrata gorge highway modernization project has been completed on schedule. The tunnel, which spans 465 meters, was built by Turkish company OZGÜN as part of a larger project to modernize and rehabilitate the Kherrata gorge road. Béjaïa Governor Ahmed Maabed inspected the site and praised the company's performance, saying the work was completed in just two months.
The project, which began in November 2018, aims to upgrade the 7.6-kilometer road to a two-lane highway with three tunnels totaling 1,130 meters in length. The work is valued at 13 billion Algerian dinars and is expected to be completed by January 2020. A 1.5-kilometer section of the road has already been opened to traffic. The project is designed to improve traffic flow between Béjaïa and neighboring Sétif province.
The Kherrata gorge road is a critical transportation artery, carrying over 22,000 vehicles per day, with traffic peaking at 30,000 vehicles per day during the summer months. The road is part of the national network and connects the port of Bejaïa to eastern Algeria. Once completed, the modernized highway is expected to alleviate congestion on the RN9 highway, which is a major economic route.
In addition to the highway modernization project, the Algerian government has allocated funds for the rehabilitation and upgrade of the old Kherrata tunnel, which is 6,200 meters long. The project, valued at 480 billion Algerian centimes, aims to improve safety and ventilation systems in the tunnel, which has been in service since 1988 and has deteriorated over time.
The tunnel rehabilitation project will be implemented in phases, with the first phase receiving an initial funding allocation of 200 billion Algerian centimes. The work is expected to begin by the end of the year. The upgrade is necessary to address safety concerns and improve traffic flow through the tunnel.
The Kherrata gorge highway modernization project is part of a broader effort to upgrade Algeria's transportation infrastructure. The project is expected to have a positive impact on the local economy and improve road safety. Once completed, the modernized highway will provide a smoother and more efficient route for travelers and goods.
The Algerian government has emphasized the importance of completing the project on schedule, with Governor Maabed warning the contractor against delays during a previous visit to the site. The successful completion of the tunnel work is seen as a significant milestone in the project's progress, and authorities are optimistic that the entire project will be completed by January 2020.
Key points
- The Kherrata gorge highway modernization project is valued at 13 billion Algerian dinars and aims to upgrade a 7.6-kilometer road to a two-lane highway.
- The project includes three tunnels totaling 1,130 meters in length and is expected to be completed by January 2020.
- The modernized highway is expected to alleviate congestion on the RN9 highway and improve traffic flow between Béjaïa and Sétif province.
