Armenia to have toll road (video)
Citizens in Armenia will hereinafter have to pay not only for fuel, but also for roads. Kajaran and Sisian cities are planned to be linked by a toll road by 2020. Drivers will spend only 40 minutes on the roadway which they now pass in two and a half hours. “We have chosen the road that connects Kajaran with Sisian which curves near Kapan and passes through Goris before getting to Sisian. If we are able to directly connect Kajaran and Sisian, it save drivers both time and fuel,” Artur Arakelyan, Deputy Minister of Transport and Communication, told A1+ Company. Calculations are being made to determine the road pricing for all types of vehicles. “We need to take into consideration a number of factors, including traffic intensity, the fuel to be used, etc. We are still calculating the expenses,” Mr. Arakelyan added. The toll road will be especially beneficial for freight forwarders from Iran who transport goods through the territory of Armenia. They will pay less for the fuel and spend less time on the road. “We offer freight companies to pay $50 to use the roadway. If you use the present road, you have to use more than 100 liters of fuel and spend two and a half hours on the road. If you represent a freight company, you will appreciate your extra two and a half hours,” Artur Arakelyan added. The construction of the toll road will start after the Government determines the construction builder company. Negotiations are underway at this time with two Chinese and one European road builders. The company with the best bid will acquire the rights to build the toll road. The road will be at the disposal of the builder for 30 years and then the right will pass onto the state.
