Iraq Completes First Section of Development Road
By John Lee.
The General Company for Ports of Iraq (GCPI), has announced the completion of the first section of the Development Road Project, linking the Al-Faw Grand Port to Umm Qasr.
According to the Ministry's media office, the 62-km road consists of three lanes designated for heavy trucks and cargo, and is equipped with a high-standard safety wall to ensure smooth and secure transportation.
The completed segment stretches from the Grand Al-Faw Port to the submerged tunnel over 51 km, followed by an additional 11 km extending to the main road toward Safwan. The project includes two major bridges-805 metres and 300 metres long-and is equipped with solar-powered lighting to ensure sustainable energy and modern technology use.
This segment marks the first phase in executing the Development Road, a strategic initiative designed to link Iraqi ports with land borders and enhance transport infrastructure nationwide.
The Al-Faw Grand Port, located on the Al-Faw Peninsula in Basra, is a cornerstone project intended to transform Iraq into a regional trade hub through integration with global transport networks. The port's projected capacity of 99 million tonnes annually positions it among the largest in the Arabian Gulf and tenth worldwide.
In 2024, the Ministry of Transport received the five-berth project at the port, with other infrastructure components advancing steadily. The submerged tunnel is in the concrete segment alignment stage at Khor Al-Zubair, container yard completion has surpassed 90%, and channel dredging continues. The first phase of the Al-Faw Grand Port is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
(Source: Ministry of Transport)
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