Algerian east west highway's overall cost stands at $13bn

Minister of Public Works, Abdelkader Kadi said Thursday in Algiers that the overall cost of the 1216-km East-West Highway is estimated at $ 13 billion.
In response to an oral question from a member of the National People's Assembly (APN), the Minister of Public Works said that the cost of the kilometre is estimated at 1 billion dinars recalling that this highway spans 1,216 kilometers from the Tunisian borders to the Moroccan ones.
Kadi underlined that the overall project cost was set in the context of the tender, adding that the average cost of the kilometre changes according to the regions and soil quality and reliefs.
The Minister stressed for comparison that the average cost of the km in France varied between 8.8 and 22 million Euros, while in Spain it was between 7.8 and 17.5 million. In Switzerland, the cost can reach 45 million, he added.
Concerning the control of the works, Kadi has admitted some problems especially due to the non-compliance of some engineering offices with their commitments.
The Minister stressed that they banned from working in Algeria and their contracts were terminated.
As for the rehabilitation of rutted sections of the East-West Highway, the minister said that it is assumed by the companies which were in charge of the construction works as it was the case in several sections in the provinces of Tlemcen, Oran, Relizane and Mascara.