TRANSPORT MINISTRY: NORTH-SOUTH TRANSPORT CORRIDOR TO BE READY IN 2017

PanARMENIAN.Net
August 10, 2011

PanARMENIAN.Net – It is planned to complete construction of North-South
transport corridor in 2017, according to Armenian Minister of Transport
and Communication Manuk Vardanyan.

“After implementation of the program, Europe-Caucasus-Asia road
communication will be improved,” the Minister told journalists after
presentation of North-South transport corridor investment programs –
Project 1 and Project 2 – adding that the corridor is not only a
transit road, but is also connected with the problem of internal
transportation in Armenia.

Vardanyan noted that this will be the first high quality concrete
road in Armenia, with design speed amounting to 120km/h, thanks to
which it will be possible to reach Black Sea from Armenia in 4,5-5 hrs.

He expressed hope for quick selection of a contractor and for starting
the construction by the end of the year.

The Minister underlined that during presentation of a program on
two highways reconstruction, namely, highway bypassing Yerevan and
transport nodal point of Zvartnots airport was presented as alternative
to North-South.

On August 2, Ministry of Transport and Communication of Armenia
announced an open tender on selection of a contractor-company for
construction of the North South transport corridor Project 1 and
Project 2, on Yerevan-Ashatarak (11,71 km), Yerevan-Ararat (38 km)
and Ashtarak-Talin (42 km) sections.

The total length of North South transport corridor will be 556 km from
Armenian-Iranian border to Georgian. Asian Development Bank allotted
a USD 500 million worth credit to fund a part of for North-South
corridor construction program. The corridor will allow Armenia to
become a transit state in regional transportation industry, as well
as join the Black Sea circular highway.