Mayor Marutyan Visits Construction Sites of Babajanyan-Ashtarak and Argavand-Shirak Road Sections and Bridge

The construction works on the Babajanyan-Ashtarak and Argavand-Shirak road sections, which are part of the western ring road of Yerevan, are proceeding at full pace. Mayor of Yerevan Hayk Marutyan visited the site to familiarize himself with the progress of the project, as reported by the Yerevan Municipality.

The total length of the Babajanyan-Ashtarak section is 9.4 km, with an average width of 24m. It will feature 3 lanes and 3 crossings for secondary roads, as well as a transport hub at the intersection with Nor Silikian Street. This section of the road is already nearly complete.

“As a driver, I can say that the difference is significant. True, it is still not finished, but you can feel the difference. First, the requirements are very strict, according to international standards, ensuring that it will need minimal repairs during operation. It is comfortable, and the guardrails are designed for safe driving, with the lighting cables passing underground,” noted the mayor.

The road will be illuminated by LED-type lamps, and the under-road communication lines have been relocated. A main sewage pipeline has been constructed for the adjacent neighborhoods, which did not previously exist.

“The newly constructed road is safer for pedestrians, as it will have lanes and LED lighting. As for traffic, it will flow freely, with certain traffic lights being removed and a road interchange being established to increase traffic capacity. The road meets European standards. The project is progressing quite well, except for a few technical issues that are being resolved,” remarked Mike Neylan, head of the supervising organization team.

“Transit roads play a significant role for any city. The transportation that must pass through Yerevan without staying in the city is forced to travel through the center today, further burdening the city. First, we are solving this problem, as those vehicles will immediately start using this road, so the city will be relieved. Secondly, it will enhance speed and comfort for the inhabitants of Yerevan. Drivers will save a considerable amount of time traveling from point A to point B. For instance, if the entire road is complete, and we drive from the Ashtarak highway to the Artashat highway, our residents will save 25-30 minutes. Time is the most important thing in a person's life,” emphasized Hayk Marutyan.

The total length of the Argavand-Shirak road section is 2.7 km, with an average width of 26 m. It also includes a metal bridge over the Hrazdan River, measuring 252m in length and 28m in width, as well as one lane at the intersection of Isakyan and Babajanyan streets.

“This is one of the most crucial junctions connecting the two roads. It is a unique bridge constructed using special technologies, which is why we involved a company with international experience—the contractor is a Spanish company with extensive expertise in constructing such bridges. Metal structures are used here to ensure greater flexibility,” the mayor noted.

“We have no concerns regarding the quality of the bridge, as we have adhered to all construction norms from the beginning, monitored testing results, and participated in the concrete mixing process, ensuring compliance with steel quality. Like all bridges, this one is designed to last a century. It is 100% safe for drivers. At the end of construction, it will undergo a safety inspection where specialists will check for stability and safety before it is put into operation,” stated Pierre Moris, head of the supervising organization team.

The two road sections being constructed with funding from the second tranche of the Urban Sustainable Development Investment Program will establish a continuous traffic link between the administrative districts of Davtashen, Ajapnyak, Malatia-Sebastia, and Shengavit.

“We plan to open the road this year. Concurrently, hard work is ongoing across all sections. We have slightly deviated from the schedule due to last year's coronavirus pandemic and, unfortunately, the war, but we are doing everything to minimize the delay,” the mayor emphasized.

The western ring road of Yerevan will ultimately have a total length of 23 km. The new road section will connect the northern and southern entrances of the capital.