Objective. The objective of this USAID-funded project is to design and construct a bridge across the Arghandar River at a point approximately 26 kilometers west of the city of Kandahar in Panjwai district. The bridge will provide direct year-around access to and from the village of Panjwai to the Kandahar-Herat section of the Ring Road.

Background. The Panjwai Bridge is considered an important element in the short- and long-term security strategy for the southwestern region of Afghanistan. This crossing would eliminate the need for traveling 18 kilometers upstream toward Kandahar to the existing Ring Road Bridge to safely cross the river.

Anticipated Impact. The Panjwai Bridge would eliminate the need for traveling 18 kilometers upstream toward Kandahar to the existing Ring Road Bridge to safely cross the river. It would greatly improve the mobility of international and national security forces in a very dangerous area of Kandahar province that is under heavy anti-government element influence.

Status. The Panjwai Bridge design and RFP process were completed, but the project was cancelled due to the inability to identify qualified and responsive bidders and because of non-permissive security.