Tunisia - Road Project VI

Road Project VI is part of the ongoing transport sector upgrading strategy initiated by the Tunisian Government under previous five-year development plans. This project is the second instalment of the Road Insfracture Investment Program financed by the Bank under the Eleventh Economic and Social Development Plan (2007-2011). This project was designed to address the capacity constraints (pavement width and structural condition) of the classified road network which currently does not provide acceptable levels of service for traffic volumes nor respond to the rapid growth of heavy-vehicle traffic (responsible for the degradation of roadway structures and increased risks of accidents. The estimated cost is EUR 336.74 million, net of taxes, including a EUR 236 million AfDB loan. Planned for a nation-wide implementation, the project includes: (i) rehabilitating 862.8 km of classified roads; (ii) strengthening 691.3 km of classified roads; (iii) building 12 engineering structures; (iv) improving 759.4 km of feeder roads; and (v) upgrading/ dualising 52.6 km of the classified road network. These road rehabilitation works will help improve infrastructure and open up remote areas. It will also strengthen integrated rural development programs and improve livelihoods, with expected benefits respectively for agropastoral, industrial, tourism and craft activities. Project activities will start at the end of 2010, and will be completed by the end of 2015.