The Chinese side has begun the preliminary measures aimed at the construction works of the first phase of the freeway project, the minister said, adding the contractors have received the required work permits and have installed their equipments and are all set to complete the project.
He also expressed hope that the first stage of the long-delayed project will be finished within the next three years.
The Chinese side has signed a financing contract to build seven segments of the freeway that altogether extend 32 kilometers on the road from Tehran to Chalus, Mazandaran Province, and domestic contractors have undertaken to either build 20 kilometers of the road or the five northern parts of the freeway.
Financial problems were said to have been the reason for the postponement of the project completion. When completed the current distance from the capital Tehran to the regions located on the shores of Caspian Sea would be significantly shortened.
RA
END
MNA