Silk Road program

Over $800 million is needed to repair and pave whole road network of Azerbaijan within five years. State budget for fiscal year 2005 allocates 150 billion manat for restoration and repair of roads in Azerbaijan, Azeri Transport Minister Ziya Mamedov told. He said Silk Road program consists of several projects. Alyat-Hajigabul road has been already paved and construction of Baku-Alyat highway is currently underway at the expense of state investments. He also said that sections of Kazimagomed-Kurdamir, Kurdamir-Ujar, Ujar-Yevlakh, Yevlakh-Ganja and Ganja-Gazakh roads will be reconstructed in the near future. Minister added that financial source for repair of 38 km long section of road from Gazakh to the Georgian border has not been found yet. Mamedov also said that construction of the northern highway is already in progress. 11 km long highway Baku-Sumgait has been reconstructed at world standards. Ziya Mamedov pointed out that total length of roads in Azerbaijan is 24,000 km.