Saturday, November 12
AFGHAN MAIN ROAD UPGRADES NEARLY FINISHED
| November 11, 2005 BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Two major road improvement projects in Afghanistan , costing more than $3.5 million, are near completion. The first of these projects, which connects the eastern Afghanistan cities of Sharana and Orgun-E, is scheduled for completion the first week of December. This road is more than 55-kilometers long and costs an estimated $1.9 million. Workers widened the road, leveled the surface and installed drainage systems. The second road project, also in southern Afghanistan , connects Qalat and Shinkay. It should be completed in December at a cost of more than $1.5 million. This 64-kilometer road improvement project also includes the installation of drainage systems, a new layer of gravel and widening the road’s surface. More than 600 Afghan contractors and laborers have worked on the two projects. “While this will improve the security situation for the government of Afghanistan , it’s important to note that there will be numerous other benefits associated with these roads,” said Army Col. Michael Flanagan, Task Force Sword commander. “Economic opportunities are created when these roads are constructed, farmers can find winter markets for their goods and merchants can seek more competitive prices for their products. People in these areas will also find that emergency service vehicles and personnel are better able to respond to different situations. Roads that are navigable and are open through all kinds of weather are a keystone to prosperity and security.” Weblog LINK |
