Amman, April 5 (Petra) -- The Ministry of Public Works and Housing said it has launched a project to rehabilitate and maintain several key roads in the northern region, with technical teams set to begin work next Monday on a section of the Zarqa–Mafraq road as the first phase of the central tender.

The ministry said in a statement on Sunday that the strategic move is part of a comprehensive plan to enhance infrastructure efficiency and keep pace with rapid urban expansion and sustained economic growth in the kingdom. The initiative aims to provide safer roads, reduce traffic congestion, improve public safety for all road users, and facilitate movement between various regions and cities.

The project is estimated to cost around JD6.1 million ($8.6 million) and is financed by the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED). Implementation is expected to continue for over 300 working days in line with the approved schedule.

According to the statement, the tender targets several main roads whose technical condition has deteriorated due to heavy traffic loads. These include sections of the Amman–Jerash–Irbid road and the international Baghdad highway, as well as the Jerash–Zarqa, Jerash–Mafraq, and Irbid–Mafraq roads; the Irbid–Beit Ras–Umm Qais road; Al-Salam Street in Irbid; the Mafraq–Manshiyat Bani Hassan road; and the Zarqa–Mafraq road.

The scope of work includes comprehensive maintenance using the latest asphalt mixes, milling and full rehabilitation of damaged layers, as well as technical treatments and precise patching of deteriorated surfaces. It also covers public safety elements such as road markings and installation of reflectors and curbstones, along with specialized maintenance of concrete bridges, engineering structures, and pedestrian bridges across the northern region to ensure their long-term structural integrity.

On traffic management during implementation, the ministry said it is committed to maintaining traffic flow without full road closures. Partial diversions will be introduced, allowing vehicles to use one lane while work is carried out on the other in an alternating and organized manner. These diversions have been prepared and reinforced with all necessary safety measures in line with the highest international standards.

The ministry urged citizens to fully cooperate and adhere to the instructions of field teams, contractors and Public Security Directorate personnel to ensure the project is completed to the highest quality standards with minimal disruption to daily traffic.

//Petra// AF