The tender process is beginning for an upgrade project of a major Jordan desert highway. The Jordan's Ministry of Public Works is arranging the tender process which is worth $170 million. The project is aimed for the rehabilitation and upgrade of the 220km-long road stretching from Queen Alia International Airport to the Maan Governorate. The construction work will be completed in six stages every 30-35km. It will take estimated 18 months each to finish the work on these stages. The project is being invested with a $105 million soft loan and a $65 million appropriation from the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD).

As the main road linking Amman with the southern region, the highway has significant meaning to Jordan. Connections between Jordan’s capital and the southern region, including the port of Aqaba will be encouraged, once the renovated desert highway is completed. Growing traffic has also been seen in this highway since the shutdown of the Syrian border. And a further effort will be required for strengthening safety grounds as a number of crashes and casualties are recorded in the route in recent years.