Two new highway projects for Yemen

Two major highway projects are being planned in Yemen. A new 710km highway will link the southern port city of Aden with Saudi Arabia, while there are also plans for a new 85km highway in the country’s central region. The route connecting Aden with Saudi Arabia is expected to cost some US$3.5 billion to construct. Around $134 million is being provided for this project by the 2332 World Bank while the Saudi Development Fund will supply $320 million. Work is expected to commence in three months’ time although the project may face some major challenges, not the least of which being that the planned route passes through some of Yemen’s conflict areas. The 85km central highway will cost $477 million to build, with some 80% of the project costs being paid for by the Saudi Development Fund.