THIRD HIGHWAY PROJEC

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The aim of the Third Highway Project for Mauritania is to consolidate and expand the maintenance effort started under the Second Highway Project; implementation of this program will lead to a reduction in vehicle operating costs on the network, and will also extend its seasonal use. The economic return on the maintenance item is estimated at about 36percent over the six-year expected life of the capital investment. The betterment program will ensure all-weather transport on two roads serving the most agriculturally productive and densely populated areas of the country. This project item yields an economic return of about 35percent on the Boghe-Kaedi-Kiffa road in the south, and of about 16percent on the Akjoujt-Atar-Choum road in the north. The pre-investment studies concern improvement of the most heavily trafficked unpaved road in the country. The project will consist of the following: (a) technical assistance to the Ministry of Equipment; (b) purchase of highway equipment for maintenance and betterment works; (c) continuation of a betterment program on about 365 km of roads; and (d) feasibility study and detailed engineering for construction of the Rosso-Boghe road (200 km), the most heavily trafficked unpaved road in the country.