Azerbaijan, Iran agree on work within large road project of Asian Development Bank

Azerbaijan, Baku, August 27 /Trend, E.Ismayilov/ Choosing of contractor for reconstruction of the third section of Masalli-Astara Highway will take place after the work on construction of bridge envisaged within this highway project will be agreed with Iran, the source at "Azeryolservice" JSC of Azerbaijani Transport Ministry told Trend on Friday. "The contractor on conducting of construction work in this section hasn't been determined yet and this will be more topical only after Azerbaijan and Iran agree and clarify the issue of conducting work on the border, in particular, in construction of bridge," the interlocutor of the agency noted. Concerning the issue of construction work in A and B sections of the road, the source said that work in the first section continue despite of delays. "There are certain delays, which can be explained with significant volume of work in this section of the road," he noted. According to him, currently, the constructor (Turkish company - "Özgün Yapı") prepares to start construction work in the second section of the highway. This highway project is implemented at the expenses of resources from Asian Development Bank and the country's government. Around $200 million worth of loan was allocated by the Asian Development Bank for construction of the highway's first (A) section (22.15 kilometers) and to date, up to 50 per cent of the resources has been used. The contractor for the construction of the highway's first (A) section is "Azerinshaatservice". As a result of extension of time for the use of loan resources for two years due to delays in attracting construction contractors, the work in B and C sections is planned to be completed by 2016. B section runs from the mark of 22.15 kilometers to the mark of 41.5 kilometers. The contractor will construct two-lane road with about 19.35 kilometers length, 10 bridges, two intersections and pedestrians, four recreation areas and a drainage system. Around 19.9 kilometers long C section runs from the mark of 41.5 kilometers to the mark of 61.4 kilometers of Masalli-Astara Highway. Besides the road bed, it is planned to construct two pedestrians, eight bridges, four recreation areas, drainage systems and other facilities. The work in these sections will be financed at the expenses of agreement signed on July 27, 2012 in Baku on allocation of the third tranche in the amount of $200 million from around $500 million worth first program of multi-tranche crediting (Multiannual Financial Framework) for road network. Do you have any feedback? Contact our journalist at agency@trend.az