Armenia expects to complete a major section of its North-South transport corridor connecting the country to Iran by 2027, as construction work reaches the halfway mark.

Around 50% of the work has already been completed on the 32-kilometer Kajaran-Agarak section in the Syunik region, a strategically important route leading to the Iranian border, The Caspian Post reports via am.tsargrad.tv.

The project is being carried out by a consortium of Iranian companies, including Abad Rahan Pars International Group and Tunnel Sadd Ariana. Construction crews are currently working on roadbeds, tunnels, bridges, and other engineering structures along the route.

While the overall distance between Kajaran and Agarak will remain largely unchanged, the upgraded road is expected to significantly reduce travel times thanks to improved infrastructure, bypasses around populated areas, and the construction of modern tunnels and bridges.

The project will also improve road safety and boost transport efficiency. Traffic volume on the route is projected to increase by more than 108% within 15 years of the corridor becoming operational.

A major component of the broader project is the planned construction of the 7.2-kilometer Kajaran Tunnel, which is scheduled to begin in 2026 and is expected to take six years to complete.

The Syunik section of the North-South corridor includes 32 kilometers of roadway between Agarak and Kajaran, five interchanges, two new tunnels, and 15 new bridges. Once completed, the route will reduce pressure on the Meghri Pass, located at an altitude of 2,535 meters above sea level.

The modernization project is expected to shorten the route by 14 kilometers, increase average vehicle speeds from 50 km/h to 80 km/h, and cut travel times by approximately 40 minutes, strengthening Armenia’s transport connectivity with neighboring Iran and regional trade networks.