RURAL ROADS REHABILITATION

Summary

One of the main goals that the Government of Armenia has set in transport sphere is stable provision of overall access to road network for the rural population. For the realization of this goal it was decided to mark out those sections of road network which provide at least one connection between each community and the interstate road network, by naming this "Lifeline network".

The poor and bad shaped roads and junctions which are making a part of the "Lifeline network" have been included in the Rural Road Rehabilitation component of the Millennium Challenge Account - Armenia program and feasibility studies for these sections were carried out.

The "Lifeline network" and the issues concerning the economic viability of the road sections included in the "MCA-Armenia" program, were widely discussed with the local authorities in all Marzes of Armenia, as well as with self-governance bodies, NGOs and a number of program beneficiaries.

It is expected that the MCA-Armenia's Rural Roads Rehabilitation Project will reconstruct and repair up to 350 kilometers of road network with total cost equal to USD 67.1 million. This will include reconstruction of drainage systems, artificial constructions and implementation of traffic safety measures. The program anticipates design and survey works, consultancy services for technical supervision as well as a number of consultative activities concerning the development and maintenance of the road economy. A big role has been given to the implementation process and results monitoring and periodic assessment.

The MCA-Armenia's Rural Road Rehabilitation Project has set the following goals and anticipated results:

- Improvement of the existing road networks between the communities and administrative, economic and trading centers;
- Reduction of operating expenses of the vehicles that belong to the rural population;
- Positive impact of improved local and rural roads on the incomes of the rural population and on the pricing of agricultural products;
- Establishment of regular, safe and reliable road connections which will assist in resolving social, educational and health problems of the rural population;
- Institutional strengthening of road economy, which will enable to establish favorable and safe traffic conditions for road users.