ROAD RECOVERY PROGRAM TO BE LAUNCHED IN ARMENIAN PROVINCES IN APRIL

/ARKA/
April 16, 2009
YEREVAN

The AMD 10.9-billion program aimed at recovery of rural roads is to
be launched in Armenia in April.

Armenian Transport and Communication Minister Gurgen Sargsyan,
speaking at Thursday’s governmental meeting, said the program will
contribute a great deal to GDP growth.

He said that the construction is to be implemented under Asian
Development Bank’s support.

"This is the Asian Development Bank’s second package targeting rural
roads. The program implies recovery of 118 kilometers of rural roads
in Armenian provinces of Kotayk and Gegharkunik."

At the same meeting, the Government confirmed the results of the
tender for selecting construction companies.

Seven companies, whose aggregate offer exceeded $1 million, won
the tender.

Under Asian Development Bank, about $42 million is to be spent for
recovery of 227 kilometers of rural roads.

Armenia embarked on construction of a 109-km section in 2008 and
intends to complete the construction this year.

After that, a 118-km section is planned to be constructed.

The completion of this construction is scheduled for 2010.

The Asian Development Bank, taking into account certain circumstances
such as rise in prices for some goods, allocated extra $17.32 million
for road recovery.

Armenia’s road network consists of 7704.3 kilometers, including 1686
km of international roads, 4056.3 kilometers of national and 1962
kilometers of local roads.