Today, Minister of Transport, Communication and Information Technologies Vahan Martirosyan announced that the cost of building North-South highway can exceed $ 2 billion.
He stated that the 11-meter-long concrete pavement has already been installed in the left-hand part of the Ashtarak-Talin road section, and another 15 km is planned to be installed by the end of the year.
“North-South highway is very important for Armenia, since it will be a high-speed way that will connect the north to the south. Also, this road will contribute to the growth of the flow of tourists,” the minister said.
Shane Rosenthal, the representative of Asian Development Bank, announced that the construction cost of the Ashtarak-Lanjik section will reach $ 3.5 million. And Minister Vahan Martirosyan, referring to this statement, said that the Asian Development Bank finances the construction only partially.
Moreover, the minister added that he is not satisfied with the work of the companies making the construction. So, the government intends to finish the construction of the highway.
The minister also informed that the Ministry of Transport, Communication and Information Technologies plans to provide a unified bus park this year in the republic, which will be available for all the regions and will provide a joint ticket idea.
Vahan Martirosyan also noted that several options with neighbor states are being discussed in order to build an alternative route for Larsi.