Armenia is set to begin work early next year on a large-scale project aimed at connecting Armenia and Iran through a north-south railroad, according to Armenia's Transport and Communications Minister Gurgen Sargsyan.
Speaking at a press conference, Sargsyan said the first phase of the project will involve a feasibility study, scheduled to begin in April 2010.
"An agreement to grant a loan of $1 million has been reached with the Asian Development Bank for implementing the feasibility study of this project. An international tender for the provision of consulting services will be declared in early 2010 and we will begin the direct implementation of the feasibility study in spring," he said.
The minister said the project's first phase will be carried out in two stages.
The first will study whether the Yerevan-Ararat and Yerevan-Ashtarak passes are safe for rail travel; the second will begin work on restoring the Ashtarak-Gumri rail section; and the third stage envisages construction of a new Goris-Kapan railroad.
The Armenian government has registered a corporation titled "Directions for Iran-Armenian Railroad Construction" to implement the project. Sargsyan noted that Iran has demonstrated its readiness to finance the project.
ILNA
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