ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Monday inaugurated the Soran Gate Overpass project in Soran Independent Administration, part a broader effort to connect the Region’s cities with two-way roads.

"This is all to serve the people of this area, the goal is to improve the overall situation of this area, improve the roads, make it more attractive to people," Barzani told reporters at the inauguration, adding, "Our program is to connect most of the cities with two-way roads."

The project also aims to make it easier for tourists to reach the attractions in the area and open more job opportunities. 

It consists of two bridges, each 154 meters long, 15 meters high, and 11 meters wide.

Since the 9th Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) cabinet came to office, over 700 road projects have been implemented, and close to 17,000 traffic signs have been installed on the Region’s roads.

Hours later, Barzani spoke at a Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) rally in Soran. 

"We have a long history of sacrifice, the struggle and aspirations of Kurdistan's people and this region in particular ... has led to this free, proud, and prosperous Kurdistan," Bazani told the audience. "The strength that you have will lead us to a greater success and will lead the KDP to a greater success in Baghdad."

"This time, our words are not only slogans, we have proven through actions, that what we say, we can accomplish," the premier continued.

The prime minister also announced that Soran will soon enjoy round-the-clock electricity thanks to the KRG's Runaki Project.

The Runaki Project is the KRG’s program to provide 24-hour power to residential neighborhoods. The project aims to cover the entirety of the Region by 2026.

Runaki was announced by Prime Minister Barzani in October 2024, aiming to eliminate the electricity issues that the Region has struggled with for decades.

It has also phased out thousands of private generators, which caused noise and air pollution, with the government aiming to remove 7,000 private generators by the time the project is fully implemented.