Objective. The objective of this task order is to provide a complete roadway and bridge design for National Highway 7, from the city of Bamyan to the city of Dushi, a distance of approximately 164 kilometers. The project will also include the design of all necessary causeways, culverts, and retaining walls to ensure that the road is passable during all seasons of the year.

All structures are to be designed in accordance with MPW Interim Road and Highway Standards and the latest editions of the American Association of State Highways and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) highway design standards for road geometrics and bridges.

Background. The Ministry of Public Works has categorized the Bamyan-Dushi Road as a national highway. As such, it requires a high level of service because of its strategic importance in providing an alternate route for travel between the north and central provinces of Afghanistan. The current road permits traffic to avoid the Salang tunnel, which subjects all north and southbound traffic to considerable time delays during the winter months, even under the best of conditions.

However, the Bamyan-Dushi road in its present condition is virtually impassable during the winter months, and even during summer is a very slow and arduous detour. The provision in this proposal to design an asphaltic concrete paved road will provide a year-round alternative route to the Salang Pass.

Status. The contract for design of this National Highway 7 has been signed and design work is progressing. Soil samples have been collected and analyzed. Hydrologic studies and hydraulic analysis for the project are ongoing. Preliminary drawings for the first 80 kilometers of road (segments 1 and 2) are complete and a 70% design submission is under review.

IRP personnel continue to meet with local community leadersto obtain community input. The road alignment in some areas will be changed to run immediately downstream of the existing bridge, which will be beneficial to local citizens as well as facilitate road construction.

A construction camp has been established by a local subcontractor. A mine and unexploded ordnance subcontractor and a security subcontractor have been engaged and are working on the project.

The average number of Afghan workers employed each month on this project has increased dramatically with the addition of winter maintenance and rough grading to the project scope. The project workforce is now averaging over 200 workers and IRP is planning to conduct various construction training courses in the Spring to build the skills of local citizens in anticipation of the full road construction.

Anticipated Impact. When completed, the upgraded Bamyan-Dushi road will provide a year round alternative route to the Salang Pass, as well as increase security by reducing the time to respond to local, regional, or national incidents. It will also facilitate access to social services and provide new regional trade opportunities including agriculture and mining.

News:

Governor Thanks Donors for Winter Road Maintenance

A Road for Us

The Road Ahead for Bamyan and Dushi