Payment of 50 percent of the project’s operating costs by the government and awarding the contract to Chinese contractors to build the first section of the highway were among the main factors that broke the deadlock on the huge project, he added.
Construction works are underway at three sections of the highway most important of which is the first section starting from Tehran to Gachsar. This part of the highway shortens the current distance between the capital and the Caspian Sea littoral cities by 50 kilometers. The first section of the project bypasses Karaj and as a result eliminates the usual traffic jam at the entry of this satellite city.
The 260 million dollar project finance deal with Chinese contractors – the first section of the highway - is expected to be developed by late 2009, the roads and transportation minister explained.
Referring to the section starting from Chalus he commented that, the under-construction highway in that part is 50 percent complete. He also pointed out that despite the preliminary works done in the mid section of the road, it has not been given to a contractor yet.
RA/MA
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MNA