ArmInfo. In the Armenian village of Darpas of the Sisian community, public discussions were held on the environmental impact assessment (EIA) of the project for the construction of a section of the Sisian-Kajaran highway of the North-South transport corridor, the Road Department Foundation reports.
According to the source, the project should be implemented within the fourth tranche. The meeting was attended by representatives of the Fund, the Asian Development Bank, the consultant preparing the EIA report, beneficiary communities and settlements. "During the meeting, environmental, social and technical issues related to the project were discussed. All beneficiaries received answers to their questions," the message reads.
The North-South project will reduce the distance from the Iranian border to the Georgian border from 556 to 490 kilometers. The road will significantly facilitate access to the Black Sea not only for Armenia, but also for Iran. The project will provide access to the Black Sea and European countries through the territory of Armenia (Meghri-Kapan-Goris-Yerevan-Ashtarak-Gyumri-Bavra) and Georgia. Construction of the corridor was originally scheduled to be completed in 2019. The cost of the program was constantly revised upward. Meanwhile, in September 2012, when construction of the highway began, the amount quoted by representatives of the Armenian government was several times less - $962 million; today we are talking about investments worth about $3bln.
