ArmInfo. On May 15, the Government of Armenia approved the proposal to sign a letter of agreement (M6 Vanadzor-Bagratashen).
As stated in the explanatory note to the document, the purpose of the loan agreement signed on November 9, 2016 is the overhaul of the Kobair-Bagratashen border checkpoint section of the M6 Vanadzor-Alaverdi- Georgian border interstate highway (km 38+450-km 90+191, length: 51.74 km), as well as the implementation of design work on the overhaul and modernization of the Dilijan and Pushkin highway tunnels. Capital reconstruction work on the road section has been completed.
The closing date of the loan is August 31, 2024 (based on the previous 2 amendments to the loan agreement). However, at present there is a need to amend the Loan Agreement, which is due to the need to prepare a project for the improvement of the M6 highway, damaged as a result of the flooding of the Debed River on May 26, 2024, as well as to conduct detailed hydrological studies of the Dzoraget and Debed rivers necessary for the design.
At the same time, instead of the Dilijan Tunnel reconstruction project, it was decided to develop a project for the construction of a new tunnel.
In connection with the above, an agreement was reached with the ADB to make the following changes to the Loan Agreement: 1. Extend the loan repayment period until December 31, 2025, 2.
Edit the Project Description, as provided in paragraph 2 of Appendix 1 to the Loan Agreement, by adding: Detailed hydrological studies of the Dzoraget, Debed and Aghstev rivers, Detailed design of works to improve the M6 highway. 3. Expected completion of the project - June 30, 2025. 4. To reallocate the loan proceeds, in particular, the letter of agreement provides for the reallocation of EUR 1,632,781.40 from the 4th pillar , by directing the said amounts to the following categories: - EUR 1,382,781.40 for category 1 , - EUR 250,000 for category 2 . The remaining obligations set out in the letter of agreement remain unchanged. The overall coordination of the project provided for in the Loan Agreement was carried out by the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure.
On November 9, 2016, Armenia and the ADB signed a loan agreement for the equivalent of $50 million - 44,037,000 euros for a period of 22 years with a 15-year grace period. At the same time, in order to co- finance this program, the European Investment Bank, as of December 2016, provided loan funds in the amount of 51 million euros. At the same time, it was reported that, according to the previously ratified agreement, Armenia will receive a loan of 102 million euros from the European Investment Bank for the repair of the highway from Vanadzor to the border with Georgia.
The main goal of the program is the restoration and modernization of a section of a two-lane highway in the north of Armenia - from Vanadzor through Alaverdi to the border with Georgia - Bagratashen, with a length of almost 51.7 km, as well as preventing deterioration in the quality of the road network, and ensuring safe, fast and easy movement. It is planned that following the implementation of the program, the Vanadzor-Bagratashen road section with a total length of 51.5 kilometers will have its surface repaired, the highway will be equipped with means of protection and climate change adaptation capabilities. Work on restoring the program was planned to begin in 2016 and be completed within 2-2.5 years. At that time, the Ministry of Transport noted that this section of the road accounts for about 60% of the intensity of freight traffic from Armenia.
