Kherrata tunnels reopen to traffic on the RN9

Motorists can again use the T1 and T2 tunnels at Kherrata, on the RN9 road in Béjaïa, after they reopened on 3 November.

The reopening took place at a ceremony presided over by Mohamed Meziane, wali of Béjaïa. Public works officials and local and security authorities attended the event.

Algérie Eco reported the details from a statement by the Public Works Directorate (DTP) of Béjaïa, which Maghreb Emergent also carried.

According to the DTP, the reopening followed the end of work to modernise and rehabilitate both tunnels. The works also brought both tunnels into technical compliance.

The works covered electromechanical equipment, ventilation and smoke extraction systems, and lighting. Both tunnels now have video surveillance cameras and an automatic incident detection system (DAI), which flags problems inside them quickly.

The DTP asked drivers to respect speed limits and safety rules when they pass through both tunnels. According to the DTP, the works aim to improve traffic conditions and road safety for users.

The article described the RN9 as busy, linking the Béjaïa coast with the Hauts Plateaux de l'Est regions. The road also carries goods and trade between inland regions and the ports of Béjaïa and Jijel.

The article reported that traffic often slows in mountain sections, where light vehicles and heavy goods vehicles can cause jams. According to the article, the reopening should ease travel on the route and reduce transit problems for travellers and transporters.

The Kherrata sector has three tunnels, and the reopening covers only T1 and T2.