Khaberni - Omar Al-Muharramah, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, stated on Wednesday that the maximum speed limit on the Harrana–Omari Road, where the toll system will be implemented, is set at 80 kilometers per hour.
He clarified that the new system will be activated on the road within the first ten days of next November.
Al-Muharramah specified that the toll rates for the alternative route are set into two categories; the first for freight vehicles with more than four axles, ranging from 2.25 to 3 Jordanian Dinars.
He mentioned that the second category would be for the rest of the vehicles, with toll fees ranging from 0.70 to 0.85 Jordanian Dinars per use of the road.
He revealed that tolls are paid at the gates for vehicles travelling from Qasr Harrana to the Omari border and vice versa, whereas the road from Amman to Qasr Harrana and vice versa is "not subject to a toll."
He indicated that the corresponding free road would be the Omari–Azraq–Zarqa Road, which connects the capital Amman with the rest of the provinces and underwent a major rehabilitation a few years ago and now has four lanes, separated by a median strip and fully lit.
The new toll road offers a distance reduction of about 21 kilometers between the Omari border and the capital Amman compared to the free road, translating into significant savings in fuel consumption, as estimates suggest that the fuel savings exceed the cost of the toll fees by more than three times.
Al-Muharramah confirmed that, apart from the Harrana–Omari Road, "there are absolutely no fees on any existing main or secondary roads currently in use," and that "there will be no alternative roads without the existence of parallel essential roads that are free," allowing citizens the freedom to choose between using the paid alternative road or the free road.
He also affirmed that the construction of alternative roads will be through the creation of new roads that are more frequently used and in good condition, or roads that are constructed to complete vital circular routes at very high costs; to provide additional developmental and logistical services to residents of major cities.
Vehicles and trucks belonging to military units and official delegations are exempt from paying the toll fees.
The Ministry of Public Works and Housing stated in a release on Monday that the selection of the Harrana–Omari Road serves as a pilot model for the project after the completion of comprehensive rehabilitation works that included enhancing the infrastructure and equipping it with solar-powered streetlights, meeting traffic safety and environmental sustainability standards.
The Ministry clarified that if a vehicle passes without paying the fees, a fine of (20) Jordanian Dinars will be imposed. The toll fees will be collected in cash or by credit cards, while the ministry is currently working on developing a prepaid mechanism using smart cards with a QR code to facilitate the crossing and electronic payment processes.
