Tehran, Iran, May 29
By Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend:
Iran and China have signed a new contract on constructing the Tehran-Shomal freeway's first part.
The construction of the first part of the freeway is underway and the tunnels and bridges are being built, said Iranian Road and Urban Development Minister Abbas Akhondi.
He mentioned that problems in a previous contract have been resolved and a new contract has been signed, IRNA news agency reported May 28.
This part of the freeway was unveiled before it was ready as construction was only 80 percent through and it lacked safety requirements, he said.
But based on the new plan, 20 kilometers of the freeway is being asphalted now, Akhondi said.
This 20-kilometer section will cost 550 ($19 million) billion rials, 400 ($13.9 million) billion rials of which has been provided and spent so far, he said.
The first section of the freeway to the length of 32 kilometers will come on stream in two years.
Tehran-Shomal freeway is among the top priorities of Iran's Roads and Urban Development ministry.
Several contractors, including Bonyad, Khatam-ol-Anbia headquarters, and Chinese firms, have signed agreements to carry out the project over the years, but little progress has been made.
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