The Kurdistan regional government of (KRG) seeks to complete the Salahuddin tunnel project in the capital Erbil by December 2013, at a total cost of USD 147 million, a senior ministry official told Zawya.
"The Salahuddin tunnel is considered a major strategic project currently implemented by the provincial government within its infrastructure development plan. Situated on the road leading towards the Salahuddin summer resort," said Zana Mostafa Al Ozairi, manager of technical affairs for planning and follow-up, at the ministry of construction and housing in the Kurdistan region - Iraq.
Al Ozairi added that the road leading towards the tunnel is expected to be 8.822 km long and the two-way tunnel will extend for 2.450 km, indicating that "the project is currently under execution, since starting in December 2010. Construction is set to take two more years, to be completed by December 2013."
Dr. Salahuddin Kaku, economist and president, of SABIS University in Erbil - Iraq, emphasized the importance of projects focused on infrastructure development, especially those in the field of roads and bridge development as they directly impact the lives of ordinary citizens.
"The new tunnel will contribute to alleviating traffic congestion, since the current road to Shaqlawa is an external one that passes through the city centre and only accommodates a single vehicle each way," said Kaku.
Kaku also encouraged the adoption of additional strategic projects, "especially since the province of Kurdistan is currently witnessing considerable economic growth."
"The new tunnel would shorten the distance to Salahuddin, as it would not oblige vehicles to enter the resort, in addition to reducing the number of turns, which cause considerable traffic congestion," said Kaku.
© Zawya 2013
