Prime Minister Barzani Opens Strategic Korre-Shaqlawa-Qandil Road and Two Tunnels
The major infrastructure project, implemented by local engineers to international engineering standards, is expected to ease traffic congestion, improve road safety, and strengthen Erbil's commercial and tourism links with surrounding areas
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani is scheduled to officially inaugurate the strategic Korre-Shaqlawa-Qandil road and its two major tunnels, Mirawa and Mawaran, on Thursday, opening the infrastructure project to motorists and the public.
The project has been implemented by local engineers in accordance with high international engineering standards, highlighting the growing technical capacity of domestic engineering teams to undertake and deliver major infrastructure developments in the Kurdistan Region.
The completion of the road and tunnels is expected to improve transportation between Erbil and surrounding areas, reduce traffic congestion, and help lower the risk of road accidents.
It will also provide a more efficient route for residents, commuters, and visitors traveling through the region.
A strategic transport corridor
The project consists of a 10-kilometer dual-carriageway road, the Mirawa and Mawaran tunnels, and three modern interchanges designed to improve traffic flow and enhance road safety.
The new route is expected to reduce travel time between Erbil and the Soran Independent Administration by approximately 30 minutes. It will also improve connectivity along a key transport corridor serving Shaqlawa, Soran, and areas extending toward the Haji Omeran international border crossing with Iran.
The project incorporates additional road-safety measures, including emergency escape ramps designed to help heavy vehicles stop safely in the event of brake failure, reducing the risk of serious accidents on mountainous stretches.
Beyond its transportation benefits, the road is expected to support commercial activity by facilitating the movement of people and goods between Erbil and the northeastern parts of the Kurdistan Region.
It is also expected to strengthen access to popular tourist destinations, particularly Shaqlawa and the wider Soran area, which attract visitors throughout the year.
The development forms part of the Ninth KRG Cabinet's broader infrastructure program to modernize intercity roads, improve regional connectivity, and expand the use of local engineering and construction expertise.
The government has reported completing more than 810 road projects of various types over the preceding six years.
The opening of the Korre-Shaqlawa-Qandil road marks another step in the Kurdistan Region's efforts to upgrade its transportation network, with the potential to deliver long-term benefits for public safety, regional trade, tourism, and economic development.