Construction of Vardenis-Martakert Highway to Start in January 2014

YEREVAN — Hayastan-All Armenian Fund has signed contracts for procurement of Vardenis–Martakert road construction with firms having won the tender carried out on December 9 and 10.

According to the contracts, firms undertaking the construction projects, will start the road earthwork and engineering works /first stage/ in January 2014.

Contracts specify the same time period for implementation of the works on the road with a total length of about 116km, Press Service of the Hayastan Fund reports.

The Vardenis-Martakert Highway will be of key economic and humanitarian importance. By functioning as a direct road link, the highway will become a second lifeline between northern Armenia and northern Artsakh, significantly cutting down travel times, boosting the economies of scores of Artsakh communities along its path, stimulating inter-community ties, and vastly improving geographic access for implementing local development initiatives.

Currently the only land-travel link between Artsakh and Armenia is the Berdzor community, through which passes the Goris-Stepanakert Highway.

The Vardenis-Martakert Highway will bring economic benefits to communities located within up to 20 kilometers on either side of the route.