A new road link connecting Libya, Egypt and Chad is being planned jointly between the countries. Survey work is underway for the project at present in Chad’s northern Ennedi-Est Province, using drones equipped with LIDAR technology to scan the proposed alignment.
The LIDAR technology allows data from a 10km stretch to be recovered in just 30 minutes. This survey data will be analysed and assist in the detailed study for the project.
The new road route linking the three nations will measure 1,720km in total. The majority of the route, 930km, will be in Chad, with 400km running through Egypt and the remaining 390km in Libya.
Construction of this road connection will provide all three nations with a new route, boosting trade and economic development for North Africa. The East Oweinat–Kufra Road project will be of particular benefit to landlocked Chad, as it will give the country access to ports in Libya and Egypt. A schedule for the construction of the project has yet to be revealed.
Egypt has already budgeted $123.6 million to build a 100km stretch of the road. The construction firm Arab Contractors has been awarded a package of works to build the first section of the route in Egypt by the Egyptian Ministry of Transport, with building work underway. The contractor has also been having discussions with the authorities in Chad. The company has also signed a memorandum of understanding with the authorities in Libya to build a section of the route through Libya.
Egyptian contractors have considerable experience in building roads in these extremely challenging conditions and will be well-placed to win further packages of works for the project.