PM Masrour Barzani inaugurates major highway project

This strategic highway will serve as a crucial link between the provinces of Duhok and Erbil, significantly boosting trade routes between Turkey and the Kurdistan Region.

Kurdistan Region's Prime Minister Masrour Barzani. (Photo: Kurdistan24)
Kurdistan Region's Prime Minister Masrour Barzani. (Photo: Kurdistan24)

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) - In a significant step towards enhancing the Kurdistan Region's infrastructure, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani laid the foundation stone for the Bardarash-Khabat dual carriageway on Thursday, at 10:00 AM local time.

The ambitious project, stretching approximately 28 kilometers, comes with a hefty price tag of over 80 billion Iraqi dinars. This strategic highway will serve as a crucial link between the provinces of Duhok and Erbil, significantly boosting trade routes between Turkey and the Kurdistan Region.

The Bardarash-Khabat dual carriageway is just one of nearly 2,000 road construction and renovation projects implemented by the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) ninth cabinet. Since taking office, the current administration has initiated 1,967 road projects with a total investment of 1.863 trillion Iraqi dinars.

Many of these projects are of strategic importance, including the 150-meter wide highway in Erbil, the 100-meter wide road in Sulaimani, and the Barzan road in Duhok. To date, 926 road construction projects have been fully completed, while 1,041 others are currently in various stages of implementation.

The ninth cabinet has also allocated funds to complete 44 unfinished medium and strategic projects from previous administrations, with 13 of these already finalized.

During its tenure, the current KRG has executed 585 road projects, including 75 strategic and vital initiatives. An additional 291 projects are currently underway. The completed projects have resulted in the construction of 1,363 kilometers of new roads at a cost exceeding 930 billion Iraqi dinars, utilizing over 11 million square meters of asphalt.

Notably, the majority of these road projects have been carried out by the local workforce, contributing to job creation and skill development within the region.

These extensive infrastructure developments not only facilitate easier travel for citizens but also enhance the aesthetic appeal of Kurdistan's cities and towns. As the region continues to grow and modernize, such projects play a crucial role in supporting economic development and improving the quality of life for its residents.

The KRG's commitment to infrastructure development underscores its vision for a prosperous and well-connected Kurdistan Region, poised to play an increasingly important role in the broader Middle Eastern economy.