AZERBAIJAN: SILK ROAD

complete

Reconstruction of an 85 km section of road from Gazi Mamed to Kyurdamir, together with assistance with road sector restructuring. The project objectives are: The project will assist with the restructuring of the RTSD and provide recommendations on road sector financing. Road Transport Services Department (RTSD) USD 41.0 million USD 46.6 million The environmental impact associated with the proposed rehabilitation of the existing road is unlikely to be significant (and would therefore normally be screened B 1 requiring an Environmental Analysis). The road is located in a sparsely populated area in the Mugan Desert, where the terrain is completely flat and the road runs in long straight lines of up to 40 km. However, the project might also involve the construction of a new bypass around Kyurdamir. Because of this project element an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) will be carried out to assess potential impacts. Based on the findings of the IEE a screening category will be allocated and additional environmental due diligence carried out as required. Western consultants have already carried out the environmental analysis as part of an overall feasibility study funded by TRACECA (Transport Corridor Europe/Caucasus/central Asia), an EC Tacis programme. This does not include the proposed bypass. The key issues that were identified were the restoration of borrow pits (quarries), road safety measures and the environmental impact related to construction. It also identified a number of "opportunities for positive environmental enhancement", including improvement of road safety, reduction of soil pollution at existing vehicle repair ramps and waste management. Technical cooperation will be required for: