GUIDING GOAL

Over two decades ago, Azerbaijan kicked off major road construction projects to build modern, international highways linking the country to Russia, Iran, and Georgia. This was followed by upgrades to inter-district and local roads within the country. Remarkably, over 21,000 kilometers of roads have been rebuilt and modernized. In the past three years, the focus of road construction has shifted to the Garabagh region, with bridges, tunnels, highways, and other crucial infrastructure being built. The Chairman of the Board of the State Roads Agency of Azerbaijan, Saleh Mammadov, highlighted that most road projects in the liberated territories are on track for completion by 2025.

Quality Matters

The past few years have seen a dramatic shift in traditional trade routes across the vast Eurasian space. The ongoing war in Ukraine, now in its third year, and the resulting sanctions have essentially shut down the Northern Corridor as a major international transport and logistics route. This has led to increased interest from the European Union, Central Asian countries, China, and Türkiye in alternative routes for moving goods along the West-East axis. The Middle Corridor, in particular, is gaining significant attention. All parties involved are eager to tap into Azerbaijan's impressive transport potential, which is ideally positioned to address these new global trade challenges.

Speaking at a recent inauguration ceremony in the Milli Majlis, President Ilham Aliyev emphasized Azerbaijan's significant achievements in the transport sector over the past two decades. He stated, "Our foresight in implementing essential infrastructure projects across the Caspian Sea, modernizing roads and railways, building a seaport, and establishing a fully operational shipyard has given us a significant advantage. Additionally, eight international airports have been built across the country, with a ninth one currently under construction in Lachin."

The pace and scale of Azerbaijan's transport infrastructure development are truly remarkable. The country has consistently been recognized for its road development efforts by various international financial institutions, rating agencies, and leading global media outlets. For instance, several years ago, a Davos Economic Forum report ranked Azerbaijan 27th globally in terms of road network quality, surpassing many post-Soviet nations and even some highly developed countries. Notably, Central Asian countries are just now embarking on large-scale road projects to capitalize on the shift of international freight traffic towards the Middle Corridor.

It's worth noting that Azerbaijan implemented all its strategic road sector projects well before the current transport boom. The 508-kilometre Silk Road highway from Baku to the Georgian border was fully modernized about ten years ago. Similarly, the 204-kilometre four-lane Alat-Astara-Iran border highway was completed and opened in 2018. Just last October, a brand-new 152-kilometre motorway, operating as a toll road, was inaugurated, connecting Taghiyev village to Guba and the Russian border.

Record Statistics

Over the past two decades, Azerbaijan has constructed, reconstructed, and repaired over 21,000 kilometres of roads throughout the country, according to GAAD data. Notably, the length of first-class roads has increased significantly, jumping from 115 kilometres in 2003 to a remarkable 1,025 kilometres today.

Following the successful completion of key international highways, the focus shifted towards upgrading inter-district roads within various regions. Between 2003 and 2023, an impressive 5,100 kilometres of inter-district roads were built or reconstructed, connecting 2,210 settlements and serving a population of 6.2 million people. Additionally, nearly 500 new bridges and interchanges were constructed, dozens of tunnels were built, and around 100 existing tunnels were overhauled.

It's worth noting that public investment in road maintenance and development bounced back in 2019-2023 after a slight dip during the oil crisis. This high investment rate continues today.

"The reconstruction of the Baku-Guba-Russian border highway is nearing completion, with the project expected to be finished in the second half of 2024. Roughly 45% of the Baku-Guba section has already been repaired, with final touches scheduled for completion this summer before the road officially opens," stated Saleh Mammadov.

Mammadov further announced that the reconstruction of the Baku-Shamakhi-Mughanli Ismayilli-Gabala highway will be completed by March 2025, including the construction of a four-lane road from Mughanli towards Gabala. Additionally, the project to expand the 130-kilometre section from Baku-Alat-Gazakh to the Gazakh-Georgian border is nearing completion. This vital section forms part of the Great Silk Road international transport corridor and is expected to significantly boost international and domestic road freight traffic between Europe and Asia.

All Roads Lead to Garabagh

In the past three years, the focus of road construction has significantly shifted towards the Garabagh region, with nearly two dozen road and transport projects currently underway in the challenging mountainous terrain. Since late 2020, construction efforts have resulted in over 2,200 kilometres of bridges, tunnels, and other crucial road infrastructure.

Among these projects, 33 tunnels exceeding 50 kilometres in total length are nearing completion, alongside the construction of 84 bridges in the region. Notably, about two-thirds of the roads and engineering structures are already finished, while intensive work continues on dozens of other sites.

"Currently, 16 road projects are underway in the liberated territories. Three of these projects – the Barda-Aghdam and Hadrut-Fuzuli roads, along with the Zafar Yolu highway – have already been completed. Work on the remaining projects is progressing rapidly, with over 70% completion. We anticipate 80-90% of road construction in Garabagh and Eastern Zangazur to be finished by the end of 2024 and mid-2025," said Mammadov.

The current focus of road construction lies within the East Zangazur economic region, aiming to establish it as a key component of the international Middle Corridor. In line with this objective, the construction of the 123.5-kilometre Goradiz-Jabrayil-Zangilan-Aghband highway, featuring a mix of six and four lanes, is nearing completion, with over 80% of the work already finished.

Construction is also progressing steadily on the 56.4-kilometer Khudaferin-Gubadli-Lachin road, serving over 30 settlements across Zangilan, Gubadli, and Lachin districts. This project, along with the 14-kilometre road connecting Khanlig to Gubadli town, is being built at an accelerated pace.

A challenging 75.8-kilometer mountainous highway with 23 bridges and 17 tunnels is under construction between Kalbajar and Lachin. Drilling has already been completed in seven tunnels, with internal infrastructure currently being built. This new road will provide convenient access to numerous settlements in both districts, including Lachin International Airport.

Similar feats of engineering are being achieved on the 82-kilometre Toghanaly-Kalbajar-Istisu road, where plans are in place to build one of the world's longest tunnels through the Murovdagh mountain range. As of today, nearly half of the project is complete, with 14 kilometres already drilled.

Previously, reconstruction began on several other roads, including the Sugovushan-Sarsang reservoir-Gozlukerpu-Kalbajar (80km), Aghdere-Aghdam (35.5km) sections. This year, further rehabilitation is planned for the Aghdam-Askeran-Khojaly-Khankendi-Shusha (34km), Terter-Aghdere (24.2km), and Fuzuli-Khojavand-Aghdam (55.7km) sections.

These listed projects are part of the action plan for implementing the first State Program on the Great Return to the liberated territories of Azerbaijan. This program also encompasses the construction of nearly 190 kilometres of inner-city roads in Aghdam, featuring various lane configurations (2, 4, 6, and 8). Completion is expected by 2026.

Under State Programme I, the State Road Agency and its partners are responsible for delivering 20 projects totalling 2,229 kilometres between 2022 and 2026. This also includes drilling, blasting, and earthworks related to the construction of an international airport in the Lachin district.

The government has been actively pursuing road construction and other transport projects in the Garabagh region over the past three years, and these efforts will continue through 2024-2026. The second phase of reconstruction and revival in the liberated territories is expected to attract up to ₼10.5 billion in budgetary funds, primarily allocated for housing construction and establishing essential conditions for the return of approximately 35,000 families. A well-developed road network is considered the cornerstone for improving towns and villages, fostering the creation of industrial and agricultural clusters, and establishing export production in the region.