ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region Masrour Barzani on Thursday laid the foundation stone of the Erbil-Koya two-sided highway, the busiest and a key road connecting Erbil to the town of Koya and Sulaimani province.

 

“Two weeks ago, I visited a school in the city of Koya to ring the new school year bell where I promised the beloved people of Koya that we would construct a two-sided road between Erbil and Koya and we will begin the construction of this road. Thanks be to God, after two weeks, we have gathered here to fulfill our promise,” Prime Minister Barzani said during a ceremony to lay the cornerstone of the strategic highway road. 

 

“Undoubtedly, this road could significantly help connect the cities of Koya and Taqtaq and their surrounding to the capital Erbil, and also facilitate travel between Erbil and Sulaimani. This is a key part of this project,” PM Barzani added.

 

The two-sided road which is expected to cost 440 billion dinars will shorten travel between Erbil and Koya from nearly an hour to 30 minutes if one drives at a high speed of 100km per hour and also minimize the distance between the two cities from 52 to 46 kilometers. 

 

The road will be 46 kilometers long and 32 meters wide, containing five overpasses to connect outlying roads to the highway. 

 

The project that is set to be completed in five phases and in three years, will be constructed by Awzan Company.

 

The project had to be finished in 2014, but subsequent economic crises halted construction works in it. 

 

“Many years ago a decision to construct this road had been made, but due to various factors and obstacles that the previous government cabinets faced, this project was not implemented. Now, we have made the decision to construct this road with a newer, wider, and better design,” the premier detailed. 

 

The Erbil-Koya road is a strategic network and the most prominent which is mostly used by travelers and commuters between Erbil and Sulaimani province. 

 

Due to its narrow and zigzag shape, the current one-sided road is known as the death route, causing frequent car accidents.