Construction of the road and rail link between South Iraq and Turkey is expected to cost $17 billion. However, Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has said that the project could deliver a $50 billion boost to the Turkish economy.
The feasibility study and design works for the Development Road project have already been carried out by Iraq. Construction for the first of the three stages could be completed as early as 2029, with work expected to commence during this year. The second stage could be ready by 2033 with the third stage being completed in 2050.
The 1,200km road and rail link would provide a key transport connection between the Persian Gulf and Mediterranean, boosting economic activity for both Iraq and Turkey. The route would run from the Iraqi city of Basra and the nearby port of Faw on the Persian Gulf to the Turkish port of Mesrin on the Mediterranean.
