The construction start for Iraq’s US$17 billion mega transport infrastructure project is now being held back until the start of 2025. The 2,700km transport link will feature both a highway and rail lines.
The plans call for road and rail connection running from Iraq’s Al Faw Port in the South East of the country, located close to the mouth of the Shatt al Arab River on the Persian Gulf, to its border in the North with Turkey. The combined road and rail link would connect Iraq’s key cities, Mosul, Baghdad and Basra, with Turkey. The route then runs through Turkey and into Bulgaria. Construction of the highway link is expected to cost $6.5 billion, with the rail link costing up to $10.5 billion.
The work was originally planned to commence in 2024. The funding method for the Development Road project has yet to be finalised. The Iraqi Government says that the construction of this parallel road and rail route will be one of the most important infrastructure projects in the country’s history.
