Project Initiation and Public Utility Designation
Official interest in the expansion of the International Coastal Road (Alexandria–Matrouh) began with Presidential Decree No. 505 of 2017, issued on 9 October 2017. Article One of the decree stipulated that the project to expand the International Coastal Road from kilometer mark 21 to kilometer mark 101, with a total length of 80 km, was to be considered a public utility work. The decree divided the project into two main sections:

• From km 21 to km 63 within Alexandria Governorate.

• From km 63 to km 101 within Matrouh Governorate.

Implementation Role of the Armed Forces and the Need for Expropriation
According to the explanatory memorandum of the presidential decree, the Armed Forces Engineering Authority was tasked with constructing the main carriageway, which includes three traffic lanes in each direction, in addition to service roads with two lanes in each direction. It was necessary to expropriate certain plots of land that conflicted with the alignment of the new road. Therefore, the project was designated as a public utility to facilitate the compulsory acquisition of the required lands.

Legal Decisions Related to the Project
On 25 March 2021, Prime Ministerial Decree No. 585 of 2021 was issued, renewing the public utility designation for the project after more than three years from the original presidential decree. This renewal aimed to complete the legal and technical procedures for the project, including the assessment of preliminary compensation estimated at approximately EGP 299,280,000.

On 2 April 2024, Ministerial Decree No. 198 of 2024, issued by the Minister of Transport, ordered the expropriation of several plots of land and properties located in Alexandria Governorate, specifically in the areas of Al-Deir Al-Mostagad (Dekheila District), Abu Sir, and Kreir (north and south) in Borg El Arab District. This decision was based on detailed cadastral lists provided by the Alexandria Survey Directorate and concerned plots whose owners had not signed the official expropriation transfer forms.

In 2025, the public utility designation for the project was renewed once again under Prime Ministerial Decree No. 728 of 2025. This renewal was required to complete the processes of surveying, public display, publication, and contracting with affected landowners. Additionally, an order was executed to expropriate 35 more plots in Alexandria Governorate where the owners had likewise not signed the required property transfer forms for public utility purposes.