PM Masrour Barzani Hails Progress on Strategic Erbil-Sulaimani Dual Carriageway Project
The Gomespan-Smaquli road project, a 22-kilometer dual carriageway, is strategically located near the Gomespan Dam and includes the network of roads surrounding the dam area. It is slated for completion by the end of 2025.
By Kamaran Aziz
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Monday conducted an on-site inspection of the Gomespan-Smaquli Dual Carriageway Project, a key infrastructure initiative aimed at enhancing road connectivity between the provinces of Erbil and Sulaimani. His visit underscored the government’s ongoing commitment to economic development and inter-provincial integration through strategic public works.
The inspection took place on Monday, where Prime Minister Barzani praised the efforts of the engineers, workers, and management teams behind the project. In particular, he commended the Hemn Group—the implementing company—for its professional execution of the project according to approved specifications and engineering standards.
"I thank the supervisors, engineers, and all the workers of Hemn Group for their commitment to quality and timely implementation," the Prime Minister stated during the site visit.
The Gomespan-Smaquli road project, a 22-kilometer dual carriageway, is strategically located near the Gomespan Dam and includes the network of roads surrounding the dam area. It is slated for completion by the end of 2025.
Once operational, the route is expected to significantly improve travel efficiency, promote commerce, and contribute to regional economic integration.
Top KRG officials accompanied the Prime Minister during his inspection, highlighting the project’s importance within the broader framework of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) infrastructure development agenda.
The dual carriageway is part of a wider push by the KRG to upgrade road networks across the region, reduce traffic congestion, and enhance safety standards for commuters. In recent years, the government has prioritized connectivity projects to foster economic cooperation between governorates and boost access to underserved areas.
PM Barzani’s site visit is also seen as a reaffirmation of the KRG’s emphasis on monitoring the quality and pace of strategic developments firsthand. By engaging directly with project teams, the Prime Minister continues to position infrastructure as a cornerstone of his administration’s economic vision.
The Gomespan-Smaquli project, due to its proximity to the dam, also serves a logistical function in supporting surrounding infrastructure and water resource management.
As Kurdistan Region enters the second half of the decade, such investments are widely viewed as crucial to reinforcing long-term stability and sustainable growth. The completion of this dual carriageway is expected to deliver immediate transportation benefits while laying the groundwork for deeper inter-provincial cooperation across the Kurdistan Region.
Today, I inspected progress on the 22km Gomaspan-Smaquly road, which will help better connect Erbil and Slemani governorates. It has created 3,000 jobs and it will finish later this year. pic.twitter.com/buf41xUFE2
— Masrour Barzani (@masrourbarzani) May 12, 2025
