PM Barzani inaugurates key Spilk-Khalifan highway in Soran Independent Administration

During the inauguration, Prime Minister Barzani emphasized the project's significance for local citizens, highlighting how it will facilitate safer and faster travel across the region.

Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani cutting the inauguration ribbon of the Spilk-Khalifan highway, Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo: Kurdistan24)
Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani cutting the inauguration ribbon of the Spilk-Khalifan highway, Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo: Kurdistan24)

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – On Wednesday, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani inaugurated the much-anticipated Spilk-Khalifan highway in the Soran Independent Administration. The 8.5-kilometer road project, which began construction in September 2022, aims to enhance connectivity, improve road safety, and reduce travel time between the Spilk road bends and Khalifan district. The project was completed at a cost of 64 billion Iraqi dinars (approximately $49.28 million).

During the inauguration, Prime Minister Barzani emphasized the project's significance for local citizens, highlighting how it will facilitate safer and faster travel across the region. "This important project will help citizens move around, connect different areas together, and make travel easier in terms of safety and time reduction," Barzani stated.

The Spilk-Khalifan highway is part of the broader road infrastructure improvements spearheaded by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) under the ninth cabinet. Prime Minister Barzani credited the Ministry of Construction and Housing for their commitment to modernizing Kurdistan's roadways. "We thank the Ministry of Construction and Housing and the Minister for their enthusiasm, ensuring that we can build all roads in Kurdistan to a very advanced standard," Barzani said.

He also reaffirmed the KRG’s ongoing efforts to connect all provinces, cities, and villages, pledging that areas without adequate road infrastructure will be included in future projects.

This road is part of the larger Hamilton Road that links the Haji Omaran border crossing with Erbil province. Its completion is expected to significantly boost trade and tourism in the Soran Independent Administration, positioning the area as a vital transport and economic hub. The Spilk-Khalifan highway is one of 585 major road projects completed under the ninth cabinet’s infrastructure development campaign.