Objective. The objective of this USAID-funded project is to build an all-weather paved asphalt road of approximately 101 kilometers, beginning from the traffic circle in the city center of Gardez to the city of Khost. The project also includes the replacement of three bridges and repair and replacement of 13 causeways, as well as the rehabilitation of several hundred other structures, including irrigation culverts, cross drainage structures, low water crossings, and stone masonry retaining walls and culvert headwalls. There are also several locations where up to 50 new culverts and/or causeways will need to be designed and constructed to ensure the integrity of the reconstructed road for many years to come.

Background. The condition of the Gardez-Khost Road at project start-up was a combination of unimproved roadway and partially graveled or paved surfaces. Overloaded trucks and an under-designed road had contributed to extensive damage over many years of constant use, with frequent flooding by spring run-off and localized rainstorms often making the road impassable.

The previously paved section of the road begins in the city of Gardez and heads in an east-southeast direction up and over Sata Kanda Pass. The summit of the pass is 2,900 meters above sea level and normally requires winter maintenance for safe passage.

At project inception, the road from the Sata Kanda Pass checkpoint to the city of Khost was primarily a gravel surfaced road with poor surface condition. There had been some on-going construction in several locations, focusing mainly on interim repairs, erosion control and rebuilding cross drainage structures. The road follows a river canyon and is characterized by high embankments overlooking the route. Various small settlements are found at intervals along this road.

Status. Construction of the road continues. All major road works are in progress on both sides of the project, including crushing operations, road excavation, rock excavation, stone masonry, embankment, placing of crushed aggregate base course and asphalt binder course paving.

The IRP team has built two major camps and is also erecting a small construction and materials production camp. All camps are now occupied and functional.

On average, 1,960 workers are employed on this project.

Anticipated Impact. Upon completion, this road will be a natural extension of the 122-kilometer Kabul to Gardez Road, completed under the USAID-funded Rehabilitation of Economic Facilities and Services (REFS) program. Thus, the project will provide a Western-standard road from Kabul into the heart of Khost Province near the Pakistan border.

Map: Gardez to Khost Road

News:

Repairs to the Ghurki Khaley Bridge Made Just in Time

Emergency Repair Work at Gerdi Seri Keeps the Road Open

President Hamed Karzai and U.S. Ambassador William Wood Witness Contract Signing for Gardez-Khost Road Construction

IRP Conducts Bid Opening for Reconstruction of Gardez-Khost Road

Winter Maintenance along the Gardez-Khost Road Saves Lives and Supports Stability

Topographic Survey Generates Jobs for Afghans

Local Leaders Pledge Support for Construction of Gardez-Khost Road