ANNEX PROFILES OF PRIORITY PROJECTS ALONG THE ASIAN HIGHWAY A. Afghanistan 1. Project name: AH77, Bamiyan – Changcharan, AH71, Herat – Touraghandi. 2. Location: The Bamiyan – Changcharan section is part of AH77 and the central East-West corridor connecting Herat and Kabul, with a length of 344 km. The Herat – Touraghandi section is part of AH71 connecting Afghnistan and Turkmenistan, with a length of 120 km. 3. Brief outline of the project: The Asian Highway network in Afghanistan consists of a ring road, central East-West road and links to the neighbouring countries. The road connection to: (a) the Islamic Republic of Iran is through Zarang and Islam Qila; (b) Pakistan through Spin Boldak and Torkham: (c) Tajikistan through Shrikhan; (d) Uzbekistan through Hairatan; and (e) Turkmenistan through Tourghandi. Most of the roads in Afghanistan have been damaged by war, and need upgrading and rehabi- litation. Various sections of the Asian Highway in Afghanistan are under construction or in the feasibility study stage with support from multilateral and bilateral donors. The Bamiyan – Changcharan (AH77) and Herat – Touraghandi (AH71) sections of the Asian Highway need to be upgraded to establish efficient East-West link and connection to Turkmenistan. In addition to the above sections, substantial financial assistance will be necessary for undertaking other projects along the Asian Highway and national roads that are currently at the feasibility study stage. 4. Rationale and objectives: The rehabilitation of the Asian Highway and roads in Afghanistan will restore the road network in the country. This will contribute to efficient transport, a reduction in vehicle operating costs and savings in travel times as well as help to stabilize economic activities in Afghanistan. 5. Scope of work: The project scope is the improvement of a 515-km of section of the above road. The feasibility study will define exactly the scope of work. 6. Expected impacts and benefits: The project will provide benefits to the people of Afghanistan, improve mobility, lower transportation costs and reduce travel times. The implementation of the project will create employment and contribute towards reducing poverty by increasing household income. 7. Estimated cost: US$ 200 million1 (preliminary estimate). 8. Project duration: Three to four years. 9. Proposed project financing arrangements: The World Bank, the Asian Development Bank or other international and bilateral financing organizations. 10.Sections Implementation arrangements: Under The Ministry of Public Study Works will be the (ADB) implementing agency. Project implementation arrangements will be established as required. 1 Estimate based on the cost of the Herat – Andkhoy section supported by the Asian Development Bank. 41 11. Project status: A feasibility study needs to be conducted. ADB is providing TA to prepare master plan for road improvement and development of North-South corridors. 12. Critical success factors: Availability of financing, efficient cooperation between donors and the Government, timely selection of consultants and contractors, and the establishment of a project management office. 13. Other project-related information: Project implementation will complete the restoration of the main road network in Afghanistan and will boost economic opportunity and stability. 14. Contact address: Directorate of Foreign Relations, Ministry of Public Works, Ministry Building, Great Massoud Road, Kabul, Afghanistan. Fax: 39-831-246-103. 42 B. Armenia 1. Project name: AH82, Vayq – Gorhayq – Sisian section (from Yerevan, km 135 – km 210). 2. Location: The route passes through the difficult Ughedzor gorge and Sisian mountain valley. The length is 75 km. 3. Brief outline of the project: The Vayq – Gorhayq gorge section (km 135 – km 175) of Ughedzor, which is on the Vayq – Goris route, was constructed during 1950-1960 to Class IV technical standards. The partial improvement of a 30-km section stretching towards Goris was completed in 1975. In addition to supporting the improvement of transport linkages between Armenia, the Islamic Republic of Iran and Middle Eastern countries, implementation of the project will assist in improving transit transport operations through the territory of Armenia towards Georgia, the Russian Federation and other States that are located north of Armenia. It will also contribute to the regional development of the Vayots Dzor and Syunik regions.1 4. Rationale and objectives: The project will reduce transport costs, increase volumes of passenger and cargo transport from Armenia (Georgia, the Russian Federation etc.) towards the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Middle East. It will promote tourism, create new jobs and contribute to poverty alleviation. 5. Scope of work: The improvement of 75 km of road located in the Vayots Dzor and Syunik regions of Armenia. 6. Expected impacts and benefits: Although the project will not shorten the length of the North- South route, it will provide major economic benefits in terms of reduced vehicle operation costs and travel times. International and national entrepreneurs as well as agricultural, transport, industrial, trade and tourism sectors have shown great interest in the project. 7. Estimated cost: US$ 30 million (according to the prefeasibility study). 8. Project duration: Two to three years. 9. Proposed project financing arrangements: The World Bank, Asian Development Bank or other international financing organizations. 10. Implementation arrangements: The project implementation office will be established in Yerevan. Activities will be implemented by selected local and international contractors. 11. Project status: A feasibility study has to be conducted. 12. Critical success factors: Availability of financing, efficient cooperation between donors and the Government, the timely selection of consultants and contractors, and the establishment of the project management office. 13. Other project-related information: The early implementation of the project will improve the efficiency of Armenia’s transport and trade sectors as well as international transportation. 14. Contact address: Ministry of Transport and Communications, 28 Nalbandyan Street, Yerevan 375010, Armenia. Tel:/Fax: (374-10) 523-862. 1 Armenia is divided into 11 administrative units (marzes, regions). Yerevan city is a separate administrative unit. 43 1. Project name: AH82, Goris – Agarak section (border with the Islamic Republic of Iran). 2. Location: The continuation of the AH82 route, Vayq – Sisian segment, to the border with the Islamic Republic of Iran (from Yerevan, km 243 km – km 383). 3. Brief outline of the project: The existing road was constructed to Class IV technical standard. The Goris – Kapan road segment (60 km) was constructed during 1955-1965, while the Qajaran – Meghri (48 km) segment was completed in 1980. It includes the difficult gorge sections of Goris – Kapan and Qajaran – Meghri. 4. Rationale and objectives: The project will reduce transport costs, increase volumes of passenger and cargo transport from Armenia (Georgia, the Russian Federation etc.) towards the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Middle East. It will promote tourism, create new jobs and contribute to poverty alleviation. 5. Scope of work: Improvement of 140 km of road in the Syunik region of the Armenia. 6. Expected impacts and benefits: Although the project will not shorten the length of the North- South route, it will provide major economic benefits in terms of reduced vehicle operation costs and travel times. 7. Estimated cost: US$ 56 million (preliminary estimate). 8. Project duration: Five years. 9. Proposed project financing arrangements: The World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and other international financing organizations. 10. Implementation arrangements: The project implementation office will be established in Yerevan. Activities will be implemented by selected local and international contractors. 11. Project status: A feasibility study needs to be conducted. 12. Critical success factors: Availability of financing, efficient cooperation between donors and the Government, the timely selection of consultants and contractors, and the establishment of a project management office. 13. Other project-related information: Early implementation of the project will improve the efficiency of Armenia’s transport and trade sectors as well as international transport. 14. Contact address: Ministry of Transport and Communication, 28 Nalbandyan Street, Yerevan 375010, Armenia. Tel:/Fax: (374-10) 523-862. 44 1. Project name: AH81, Bavra – Gyumri road section. 2. Location: The road section is located in Armenia’s Shirak region (Yerevan, km 146 – km 156). 3. Brief outline of the project: The road was constructed during the 1950s and some improvement works were carried out in 1989. It is the only section with Class IV technical standard on the Bavra – Yerevan route. It will improve traffic flow to Armenia from neighbouring Georgia and the Black Sea coastal areas as well as improve international transit passenger and cargo transportation via Armenia. The improvement will also contribute to the economic development of the Shirak region. 4. Rationale and objectives: The project will reduce transport costs, increase passenger and cargo transport volumes via Armenia towards the Islamic Republic of Iran and Middle East. It will also promote tourism and create employment opportunities. 5. Scope of work: Improvement of 10 km of road in the Shirak region of Armenia, 25 km from Gyumri. 6. Expected impacts