Muscat : This innovative technology is being applied for the first time in the Sultanate to maintain a section of the Bidbid-Nizwa dual carriageway. It aims to improve road quality, enhance sustainability, and reduce maintenance costs.
Micro-surfacing involves applying a specialized material to fill small gaps, treat cracks, and level the road surface, creating a new insulating layer. This process not only strengthens the road but also extends its lifespan and boosts its overall condition index, making it more durable and suitable for continued use.
According to Eng. Salem bin Hamad Al Junaibi, Director of the Roads Department in Al Dakhiliyah, this trial aligns with the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology’s strategy to adopt modern technologies for road improvements. The trial, conducted on a 300-meter stretch of the Bidbid-Nizwa dual carriageway, is currently in its evaluation phase. If successful, the micro-surfacing technique could be implemented more widely across Oman, offering a more cost-effective and time-efficient alternative to traditional road maintenance methods.
Eng. Al Junabi further explained that the micro-surfacing process reduces maintenance costs by about 50 percent compared to traditional techniques. Besides, it is faster to complete and enhances the road’s sustainability. Unlike conventional methods, which often require the removal of old asphalt layers, micro-surfacing only adds a new material mixture composed of emulsified asphalt, polymer-modified aggregates, water, and additives, directly to the road surface.
One of the key advantages of this technology is that it requires fewer resources and less time. The application of the material is done using a specialized machine, which precisely targets voids and cracks in the road. The process is quick, and roads can be reopened within hours of treatment, minimizing disruptions to traffic.
The Roads Department is closely monitoring the trial’s progress. If it proves successful, the micro-surfacing technique could become a standard practice for road maintenance across the country, paving the way for smarter, more efficient infrastructure management in Oman.
