Khaberni - The amended system for traffic services compensation on roads was released in the official gazette, the day before yesterday.
The published system included a special annex on the Haranah-Al Omari road, which will be the first road in the kingdom to apply the paid alternative roads project, according to Al-Ghad news.
The system set the toll fee in the area between Qasr Amra and Haranah towards the Saudi border at 85 piasters for small vehicles including small and medium freight vehicles and passenger buses of all sizes, and 2.5 dinars for freight vehicles with four axles or more.
The system exempts government and military vehicles, ambulances, and official delegation vehicles of all types from paying the toll fee.
According to the annex, the government will collect the traffic service compensation using the payment methods it specifies, whether in cash, through electronic payment means, or other available collection methods.
The application of the paid alternative roads concept on the Haranah-Al Omari Road serves as a model for the project that has been discussed locally since 2007, and is proposed for implementation within the execution program of the economic modernization vision.
The Ministry of Public Works confirmed that the paid alternative roads concept will not be applied to any currently open road used by citizens and that the project will only encompass opening new roads or completing ring roads, parts of which have been opened and require substantial funds for completion. These parts will be offered as investment opportunities to be implemented in partnership with the private sector.
Furthermore, the ministry reiterated its assurance that no toll fee will be imposed on any road without a free alternative parallel road, emphasizing that it continues its role in maintaining and sustaining roads throughout the kingdom's regions. The commencement of work with the paid alternative roads concept is expected to generate a new financial resource supporting the maintenance and rehabilitation efforts of roads.
