ArmInfo.Armenia is doing its best for the North-South energy corridor program to be implemented as soon as possible. The program is of regional importance and is important for Armenia's energy sector, Armenia's Minister of Energy Mher Grigoryan told reporters on Thursday following the 17th meeting on the Armenian-Iranian Intergovernmental Commission.
"It is highly important for our bilateral relations because, as you know, we have a swap agreement with Iran. It is also of high importance for regional energy transit. Common rules of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) are simultaneously being applied, which means this important infrastructure enables Iran to join the common market through us," Mr Grigoryan said.
He discussed the issue with his Iranian counterpart Ali Akbar Mehrabian as an Iranian company is involved in the construction.
"We exchanged views and hope to complete the southern section by the end of this year. And, as far as I am informed of the technical specifications, it is going to be the most complex section. As regards the northern section, I think we are going to complete it [on schedule]," Mr Grigoryan said.
As to why the project has been extended twice, the minister said that one of the reasons is a long tender invitation process.
"The major problem is long-lasting tender invitation processes. And three of the processes failed. However, we are seeking to ensure broad participation as these huge projects," M Grigoryan said.
Under the project a new 60-km-long motorway is to be constructed, with a design speed of 100kmh, with bridges with a total length of 4.7km and tunnels with a total length of 12.5km. The Burgashat tunnel alone will be 8.6km long.
The new motorway will be 58km shorter, with improved traffic safety and comfort.
The construction of the southern section of the North-South motorway is a strategic priority in the context of the latest developments in Armenia's Syunik on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. The new motorway will safely connect Armenia's regions bordering on Iran with its central regions. The construction is estimated at $1.5bln, which implies Armenia's active cooperation with its international partners.
The North-South motorway will shorten the distance from the Iranian border to the Georgian border from 556 to 490 kilometers. It will facilitate the access to the Black Sea both for Armenia and for Iran. The project will also ensure access to European states via Armenia (Meghri-Kapan, Goris-Yerevan, Ashtarak- Gyumri-Bavra) and via Georgia. The project was initially to be completed in 2019. The cost had regularly been revised upward. Back in 2009, the Asian Development Bank allocated over $1bln for the motorway construction.
