Monday, 28 June 2010
Cross-border and inland highways under construction and reconstruction
RA Minister of Transport and Communication Manuk Vardanyan gave a press conference at the Government’s Press Center. The minister focused on road construction, ministry reorganization and the challenges faced in railway transportation, postal services and communications.
The speaker advised that 411 km-long road sections were restored in 2009, of which 112 km to a total cost of AMD 11.5bn with budget allocations /85 km in service/, 153.15 km - with the help of the World Bank to a total cost of AMD 16.8bn and 140.57 km - with the support of the Asian Bank for Development with an aggregate budget of AMD 14.2bn.
In 2010, road building activities were financed to the rate of AMD 2bn from the state budget, of which 1.5 billion was carried over from 2009 for the Vazashen and other 27km-long road sections. Some 100 million drams were economized due to the tender announced to that effect, which were subsequently used for rehabilitation purposes.
Manuk Vardanyan next touched upon the World Bank-supported road-building activities. AMD 10mn will be funneled toward reconstruction of 84 km-long road sections. The minister noted that earlier this month a USD 50mn lifeline road building project was signed with the World Bank for rehabilitation of 190 km-long roads, of which 10 million to be co-financed by the government of Armenia. Project start is pending the National Assembly approval. The main feature of this project is that it envisages reduced use of imported bitumen and greater reliance on local building materials - rubble and cement. According to the speaker, about 300 new jobs were made available to local manpower in 2009 alone.
Concerning those activities carried out in cooperation with the ABD, Manuk Vardanyan said that construction of 117.8 km-long roads will be extended until mid-2011 to a total budget of USD 8mn.
The Minister advised that 5.5 billion dram will be spent on road network and transport facility maintenance and commissioning activities covering 3393 km-long roads of interstate and republican importance. AMD 432 will be earmarked for the capital repair of 7 bridges and bridge-like facilities.
Design work under the north – south project will be completed by the end of this July after which bids will be invited from eligible contractors.
In conclusion, the speaker spoke about the existing legislative and regulatory shortfalls and the planned serious amendments in this field. In this context, he outlined the scope of new requirements applicable to project design, copyright, technical oversight and construction activities, as well as to building entities.
