Objective. The objective of this now completed USAID funded project was to help improve access to rural regions of southern and eastern Afghanistan so as to facilitate economic growth, social development and stability operations. Development interventions centered on the rehabilitation / reconstruction of an estimated 1,500 to 2,000 kilometers of existing unmaintained provincial and district center roads.

Background. This project was designed to provide assessment, alignment layout, and bid documents for design-build construction contracts for strategic provincial roads in southern and eastern Afghanistan.

Status. Through this project, topographic mapping was completed for 2,609 kilometers of road, and preliminary design was prepared for 232 kilometers of all-weather, gravel-surfaced road. The design enhanced opportunities for Afghans to participate as general contractors and subcontractors, and it maximized the employment of labor. It also encouraged a robust capacity building initiative to ensure follow-on success with local implementation. The preliminary design was completed on June 30, 2008.

Impact. By strengthening transportation connectivity to remote areas through its investments, USAID is facilitating efficient movement of goods; increased access to government and social services such as education and health care; decreased ethnic division between regions; development of the agriculture sector; and improved regional integration, security and stability. In addition, USAID through projects like this one, supports capacity building and other community programs and promotes sustainability of appropriate technology objectives for local contractor development and community based maintenance programs.

News:

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