Armenia : North-South Road Corridor Investment Program - Tranche 3

Transport / Road transport (non-urban)

The project aims to achieve efficient, safe and sustainable north-south corridor linking the Republic of Armenia domestically and internationally. The project will comprise:

(a) reconstruction of the two-lane road section between towns of Talin and Landjik of approximately 18.7 km and widening such section to a four-lane dual carriageway; (b) preparation and implementation of a long term road subsector plan and road asset management and road maintenance administration system; (c) preparation of feasibility study for Artashat-Qajaran section (304 km) of the North-South corridor; and (d) project implementation support and preparation of a subsequent tranche under the Investment Program, including preparation of the related feasibility study and detailed engineering design.

Socioeconomic development in Armenia and expanded regional trade

Efficient, safe and sustainable north-south road corridor, linking Armenia domestically and internationally

Reconstructed 18.7 km two-lane road section between the towns of Talin and Landjik

Road Subsector Plan completed and Road Asset Management and Road Maintenance System implemented

Feasibility studies and detailed design for Tranche 4 prepared

About 75% of the total volume of earthworks and about 70% of the total volume of concrete structures was accepted by the Engineer so far. Financial civil works progress is at 46.63%. The variation order (VO) for the switch from concrete to asphalt pavement has been endorsed by the Governing Council and has been signed by EA and contractor. Time of completion for the works is extended to 14 September 2022 according to the VO.

Road Subsector Plan will possibly financed by other donors. The recruitment of consultant for preparing the road subsector plan has been postponed as the assignment may need to be revised due to budget constraint and the outcome of the government's coordination with other donors.

The procurement of goods for road asset management and maintenance system has been delayed as similar equipment might be procured through other donor.

The project is classified as Category A. An updated environmental impact assessment (EIA) was prepared and posted on the ADB website on 26 July 2012. The EIA concludes that the impact on archaeological, historical, and cultural sites and monuments is widespread and requires special consideration. The EIA identifies 10 previously unknown archaeological sites. To safeguard the most important sites, the environmental management plan (EMP) contains mitigation measures. The EIA also determines that there is a potential impact on some rare flora and fauna. To mitigate those impacts, the EMP outlines a flora and fauna plan. All recommendations in the EMP are incorporated in the detailed design and bidding documents for the civil works contract to ensure proper mitigation and protection measures are taken. Public consultations involving nongovernment organizations in Gyumri and Yerevan were conducted in May and July 2010. The consultant and project implementation unit held further discussions with community leaders during the preparation of the updated EIA in 2012 for relocation of cultural monuments.

The environmental compliance auditing in the construction stage showed their general compliance with the loan covenants and SPS 2009 requirements at the pre-construction stage. However, some corrective measures and further monitoring were requested concerning environmental resources, coordination on safeguard issues, grievance redress, construction works and management of borrow pits, dumping sites, construction camps. As a result, a new decree on the borrow pits' opening, utilization and management for the transport sector was developed and approved by the RA government. ADB has emphasized the importance of cooperation among the contractor, the project management consultant, the project implementation unit.