Egypt's Minister of Transport, Kamel Al-Wazir, inspected ongoing upgrades to a 64-kilometre stretch of the International Coastal Road between Damietta and Baltim. This visit forms part of a broader initiative to develop the full 800-kilometre route from Port Said to Salloum.
Egypt's Minister of Transport, Kamel Al-Wazir, carried out an inspection tour of upgrade works on the International Coastal Road between Damietta's Furniture City and Baltim, passing through Gamasa and New Mansoura. The segment covers 64 kilometres, with 37 kilometres in Damietta Governorate and 27 kilometres in Dakahlia Governorate.
This road serves as a vital transport link connecting Egypt's Mediterranean ports, including Port Said, Damietta, Alexandria, and Gargoub. It traverses seven governorates: Port Said, Damietta, Dakahlia, Kafr El-Sheikh, Beheira, Alexandria, and Matrouh, while linking various industrial zones and new urban communities along the coast.
The upgrades involve building 12-metre-wide concrete service roads in each direction and widening the main carriageway to six lanes per direction. Three of those lanes are concrete and reserved for heavy trucks, separating freight from passenger traffic to boost safety and reduce damage from overloaded vehicles. The project also includes 23 overpasses to ease traffic flow and support nearby areas.
The Ministry of Transport reports that several sections have been upgraded already, such as from Gamasa (km 80) to Baltim (km 130) and between Alexandria and Matrouh. Work continues on a dedicated concrete truck lane from Damietta (km 50) to the Black Sand area (km 132). Maintenance and expansion efforts are underway on stretches between Marsa Matrouh and Salloum, spanning about 240 kilometres.
Al-Wazir also examined the Damietta East road duplication and rehabilitation project, which runs 62 kilometres. The reviewed portion included a 25-kilometre section from Sherbin to Faraskur, while dualisation between Sherbin and Mansoura over 22 kilometres has been completed.
He directed teams to accelerate construction while upholding high quality standards. The overall development programme seeks to enhance traffic efficiency, road safety, and logistical ties between ports, industrial areas, and growing cities along Egypt's Mediterranean shoreline.
