Egypt’s transport ministry is implementing a total of eight new major axes on the Nile River in Upper Egypt, aiming to link main roads located on the western and eastern banks of the Nile, with investments worth EGP 11 bn, Invest-Gate reports.

During a follow up tour on May 27, Transport Minister Kamel El Wazir said the new developments come as part of the state’s efforts to develop Upper Egypt’s provinces, where the new axes projects will be mainly implemented in Sohag, Aswan, Qena, Minya, Assiut, and Beni Suef, according to an official statement. He added that the new road projects are set to make the distance between the western and eastern banks of the Nile not more than 50 kilometers.

El Wazir pointed out that these new projects include Kalabsha Axis, an alternative central axis for Aswan High Dam, and Qous Bridge in Qena, which are being developed at a total value of EGP 4.3 bn.

On the projects’ details, the minister stated the alternative central axis for Aswan High Dam, which costs EGP 2 bn, will be connected to Aswan Western Agricultural Road and is part of the Cairo-Cape Town road project. The axis will be 4.5 kilometers long and 30 meters wide, with three lanes in each direction.

He also reviewed works being carried out at Kalabsha Axis, which not only passes the Nile River but also comprises nine bridges and five tunnels, linking the railway at the east of the Nile with desert roads at the west bank. The total length of the axis is 23 kilometers and 21 meters wide, valued at EGP 1 bn.

El Wazir urged intensifying work on site to finalize the whole project before December 31, highlighting that it is set to create new urban, industrial, and agricultural communities in the western and eastern banks of the Nile River.

At Qous Axis, which is 19 kilometers long and 21 meters wide, work is in full swing to deliver about 14 bridges and 13 tunnels before June 2020, in addition to a sidewalk for pedestrians with a width of 2.5 meters in each direction, the transport minister confirmed during the tour.