Today, the official ceremony for the start of the Kajaran tunnel construction took place, attended by Iranian Vice President Seyyed Hamid Pourmohammadi, Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan, Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure David Khudatyan, representatives of the diplomatic corps, members of parliament, and other guests.
The guests first toured two already excavated tunnels on the 32 km section of the Kajaran-Agarak road, familiarizing themselves with the extensive work done.
After the tour, a ceremonial signing of the contract for the construction of the Kajaran tunnel took place.
The construction of the Kajaran tunnel is part of the North-South highway project, which will enable the full operation of most of the southern section considered a priority for the North-South route.
The construction of the Kajaran tunnel will shorten the existing route by approximately 14 km, increase the average speed of vehicles from 50 km/h to 80 km/h, and reduce travel time by about 40 minutes.
The tunnel will bypass the Meghri pass, located at an altitude of 2535 meters above sea level, significantly enhancing road safety and allowing for the avoidance of difficulties related to ensuring the pass's accessibility during winter.
The Kajaran tunnel construction project will be funded by a $200 million loan provided by the Eurasian Stabilization and Development Fund, along with approximately $195 million in co-financing from the Government of Armenia.
Construction work is set to begin in 2026 and is expected to be completed within 6 years.
Within the framework of the project, not only the 7.2 km Kajaran tunnel will be constructed, but also about 4 km of access roads.
The road inside the tunnel will feature two lanes and sidewalks with a total width of 10.6 meters.
To ensure emergency stops for vehicles, an additional 3-meter deep widening of the tunnel's traffic lane is planned every 250 meters. In case of emergencies, an exit for evacuation will also be constructed beneath the tunnel.
A contract for the construction of the Kajaran tunnel and access roads will be signed with the Iranian companies
