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Projects - North-South Highway
“The Backbone of Karabakh”
The North-South Highway is designed to span
the entire length of Nagorno Karabakh, linking over 100 towns and villages from
Mardakert to Hadrout via the capital of Stepanakert. The North-South Highway,
referred to as “The Backbone of Karabakh,” will unite the entire Republic of Nagorno
Karabakh through a solid core and facilitate economic, political and cultural
development. During Soviet times, roads zigzagged in and out of Karabakh and Azerbaijan,
leaving Karabakh economically dependent on Azerbaijan and otherwise isolated.
The completed Highway will allow merchants to bring goods to market, give schoolchildren
the means to attend classes in neighboring villages, provide a transport channel
for services and necessities and help promote tourism. Finally, the Highway will
serve as a deterrent against possible future aggressions from Azerbaijan.
The Highway, which will equip Karabakh with core strength, is one of Armenia
Fund USA’s most ambitious infrastructure projects and serves as a complement to
the existing Goris-Stepanakert Highway, completed in 1999. The North-South Highway,
in its finished form, will span 105 miles and cost an estimated $25 million. To
date, over 25 miles (40 km) have already been constructed. One meter (about 3.4
feet) of highway costs $150 to build.
| Completed segments | Sections in
construction: | Dashbulakh-Kichan
Shuka-
Drakhtik
Dashbulakh-Baludja
Sheker Bridge | Stepanakert-Baludja
Sarushen-Karmir Shuka
Tsakuri-Hadrut |
Highway completion
is scheduled for 2006. The North South Highway’s remaining 80 miles will cost
an approximate $15 million funding dollars. As with all Armenia Fund projects,
the North-South Highway is being constructed with uncompromised quality and at
the lowest cost possible. The Fund insures its pledge to financial accountability
and transparency by exercising open bidding and monitoring both funds and construction
on a ground level.
Every foot built towards the Backbone of Karabakh
is a step towards core strength, mobility, vitality, and renewal. Join us in building
the infrastructure upon which Karabakh’s future will be built.
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