The road linking Ain Octor to Korbous, Nabeul governorate has been closed due to landslides and falling rocks, especially after recording a number of deadly accidents.

The project to build a new road connecting Ain Octor to Korbous has kicked-off in June 2020, to cover over 4.5 km, according to local authorities. It could contribute to highlighting this destination and allow it to regain its touristic influence, thanks to its numerous hot water springs, particularly Ain El Fakroun, Ain Chfa, Ain Oktor, and Ain El Atrous.

Overseen by Tunisian experts, the project has reached 38% progress rate. “It consists of the construction of a sea wall over 1,120 metres, the rehabilitation and the reinforcement of the section linking Korbous, Ain Fakroun and Ain Atrous, and the protection of the road against falling rocks,” head of the project Malek Bennour told TAP.

The 2.5 km section includes a two-way road with a width of 7 meters (3.5 meters per lane), while the last 300 meters represent a two-lane road with all the necessary facilities to welcome visitors and tourists, he added.

Concrete blocks will be used to make a marine barrier that separates the sea from the road. These blocks will be used to protect the section of the road directly exposed to the sea.

According to the studies, these blocks will come in three sizes: 2.5 cubic meters, 4 cubic meters, and 5 cubic meters, according to their position and the depth of the water.

The project was scheduled to end in December 2022, but it will last until the third quarter of 2024. “This delay is due to technical problems, namely the results of tests carried out by a hydraulic laboratory in France (Artelia).

“We expected to make one modification to the design of the models, but after the tests we had to make 6 modifications to get a balanced design,” Bennour told TAP.

The total amount of the deal is 86 million dinars, 80% of which are funds from the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development and 20% were mobilised from the state budget

Source: Tap News Agency