ArmInfo. The Ashtarak-Gyumri section of the North-South Transport Corridor is now fully operational, as announced by Armenian Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure David Khudatyan on his Facebook page.
He noted that the official opening of the road will take place on April 19. To mark the occasion, according to the minister, a large motor rally will be organized, in which everyone is welcome to participate upon pre- registration.
It should be noted that the Ashtarak-Gyumri section is part of the central segment of the North-South Corridor and is not a single road, but consists of several subsections: Ashtarak-Talin (approximately 24 km of the highway under construction), the Agarak bypass (approximately 8 km), Talin-Landzhik (approximately 18.7 km), and Landzhik-Gyumri (approximately 22-27 km). In total, the Ashtarak-Gyumri road is approximately 70-80 km long, a new or reconstructed highway within the wider Yerevan-Gyumri route.
Financing for the Ashtarak-Gyumri section was provided by the Asian Development Bank, one of the key lenders to the program that has funded several sections, including Ashtarak-Talin and Talin-Landzhik,. The European Investment Bank also in financing the Landzhik-Gyumri section. Additionally, the Government of the Republic of Armenia is providing co-financing to cover part of the project costs.
Recall, the North-South project will reduce the distance from the Iranian border to the Georgian border from 556 to 490 kilometers. The project will provide access to the Black Sea and European countries through Armenia (Meghri - Kapan - Goris - Yerevan - Ashtarak - Gyumri - Bavra) in Georgia. Construction of the corridor was originally planned to be completed in 2019.
