Frequently-Asked Questions
Kabul to Kandahar Highway Reconstruction
WASHINGTON, DC 20523
PRESS OFFICE
http://www.usaid.gov
Press: (202) 712-4320
Public Information: (202) 712-4810
2003-078
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 14, 2003
1. What is the Kabul to Kandahar Highway?
Phase one of the Kabul to Kandahar highway is 389 kilometers (242 miles) long and was originally constructed with U.S. government financing in the early 1960s. In the eastern part of Afghanistan it handles major north-south highway traffic. Kandahar in the south is connected to Herat in western Afghanistan -- 566 kilometers (351 miles) away -- by another major highway. Other important roads link Herat, via cities in the north of the country, to Kabul. Together these arteries constitute the Afghan Ring Road.
Like the entire Ring Road, the Kabul to Kandahar highway and its bridges and other structures suffered considerable deterioration, damage and lack of investment over the years, particularly during two-and-a-half decades of civil war and hostilities. The entire length of the Kabul to Kandahar highway is 482 kilometers (300 miles). USAID reconstructed 389 km (241 miles); 43 km (27 miles) of the highway surface did not require resurfacing and the government of Japan funded the reconstruction of 50 km (31 miles) of highway.
2. How is the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) involved with the Kabul to Kandahar highway and what is the role of The Louis Berger Group?
Through USAID, the Louis Berger Group was responsible for the reconstruction of the 389 km of the Kabul to Kandahar highway. The Louis Berger Group was awarded this contract through a competitive bidding and award process in September 2002. USAID is providing approximately $270 million in financing, or approximately $640,000 per kilometer.
3. What is the significance of completion of Phase I and what is the next phase of the project?
The completion of Phase I of the highway includes at least one layer of asphalt or asphalt-treated-base paving, while the remainder will receive a single bituminous surface treatment. Seriously damaged bridges will be replaced. This will enable the highway to be open for traffic throughout the winter, when weather conditions preclude working on it. Travel between Kabul and Kandahar will be reduced to less than five hours from the two days it required before reconstruction of the highway.
In spring 2004, Phase II will begin. Additional asphalt courses will be laid, the shoulders will be widened and paved, drainage structures will be repaired or replaced, and signage and highway markings will be provided. Upon completion of Phase II, the Kabul to Kandahar Highway will have: 1) a paved surface 7 meters (23 feet) across, 2) shoulders 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) wide, and 3) a total asphalt concrete depth of 20 to 30 centimeters. The Kabul to Kandahar highway is being built to the same standards used to build roads in the west. These standards are set by the Afghan Ministry of the Interior and are based on the American Association of State Highways and Transportation Officials, the accreditation officials for the U.S. transportation system.
4. What are the benefits of a paved highway between Kabul and Kandahar?
The most obvious benefit is the reduced travel time between the two largest cities in Afghanistan and a reduction in transport costs. Travel time between Kabul and Kandahar has been dramatically reduced from two days to less than five hours. The ability of goods and people to move quickly between Kabul and Kandahar will have a significant impact on both local and national economies. Up and down its length, the highway will enable farmers to reach markets faster and increase people's access to employment, schools, and health care. At a regional level, the highway will improve linkages between south central Asia trade routes. And, as an important part of the country's ring highway system, the highway will show the commitment of the government to national unity, security, and development. The highway will be a source of tremendous pride to the people of Afghanistan at many levels. A significant short-term benefit of the highway project is the generation of employment opportunities, both nationally and locally, during the construction period.
5. Name the subcontractors working on the Kabul to Kandahar Highway?
- Afghanistan Reconstruction Company (Afghan-American) constructed 49 kilometers (30 miles) from kilometer 43 to kilometer 93
- Mensel JV (Turkish) constructed 85 kilometers (53 miles) from kilometer 93 to kilometer 177
- Kolin JV (Turkish) constructed 85 kilometers (53 miles) from kilometer 177 to kilometer 262
- BSC/C&C; JV (Indian) constructed 85 kilometers (53 miles) from kilometer 262 to kilometer 347
- Gulsan-Cukurova JV (Turkish) constructed 84 kilometers (52 miles) from kilometer 347 to kilometer 431
6. How many local workers did this project employ?
More than 2,000 Afghan truckers and construction personnel worked on the highway.
7. How extensive are demining operations?
Afghanistan has more land mines and unexploded ordinances than any other country in the world. In addition, the Kabul-Kandahar highway was the scene of much fighting over the past 24 years and extensive mining took place over the past two decades. Demining is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and directed by the United Nations Mine Action Center Afghanistan. The demining crews discovered more than 1060 mines and pieces of unexploded ordnance along the highway.
8. What is the security situation along the highway?
During reconstruction there was some instability along the highway, especially in the southern sections. To deal with this situation, the Afghanistan Ministry of Interior provided nearly 1,000 Ministry of Interior troopers for the road-building project. Some security personnel are assigned to fixed locations, while others patrol the road in vehicles.
9. What other countries contributed to the road construction?
The government of Japan funded 50 kilometers (31 miles) of highway north of Kandahar.
The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years.
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