Within the framework of the North–South project, Armenia plans to cut travel time to the Iranian border by about three hours thanks to ongoing road construction and tunnel development in Syunik province. This was announced by Deputy Director of the Road Department Karen Badalyan during a round-table discussion dedicated to the "Kazakhstan–Turkmenistan–Iran–Armenia" logistics corridor.
He noted that the project’s fourth phase is currently underway in Syunik and is divided into three lots, according to Sputnik Armenia.
The segment from Agarak to Kajaran will include around 32 km of new road, featuring 5 interchanges, 2 new tunnels, and 15 bridges. Construction on this section is expected to be completed by 2027.
The second lot involves a 7.2 km tunnel near Kajaran and a connecting 4 km stretch of road. This infrastructure is designed to reduce traffic on the Meghri mountain pass, which sits 2,535 meters above sea level. It will also enhance road safety and ensure year-round accessibility regardless of weather conditions.
“Тhe current winding route will be shortened by 14 km, and vehicle speeds will increase from 50 km/h to 80 km/h. Travel time on that section will drop by 40 minutes,” Badalyan explained.
According to the third lot, a 60 km highway between Kajaran and Sisian will be built. This stretch will include the 8.6 km Bargushat tunnel, 27 bridges totaling 4.7 km, and 9 tunnels with a combined length of 12.5 km. Once completed, the Sisian–Kajaran section will be 54 km shorter, and the average driving speed will rise from 50 km/h to 100 km/h—reducing travel time on this stretch by 1.5 to 2 hours.
Construction on this final section is scheduled to begin in 2026, with full completion expected within six years.
