SARALANJ HIGHWAY TO EASE TRAFFIC IN DOWNTOWN YEREVAN PUT
INTO OPERATION
29-09-2008 19:00:00 | Armenia | Economy
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 29, NOYAN TAPAN. Saralanj Highway was
put into operation in Yerevan on September 29. The highway links
Kentron and Arabkir communities without traffic-light regulating
crossroads, reaching as far as Davitashen Bridge. Saralanj
highway's entrance is ensured by a 186-meter tunnel that begins
at Myasnikian Avenue. The construction of the highway started
3 years ago with about 6 billion drams allocated by Armenian
American Kirk Kirkorian's Lincy Foundation. A two-level
transport passage, which ensures an entrance into the highway
and links Abovian Grove to Myasnikian Avenue, was also put into
operation. The total length of the passage is 220 meters,
including a 44-meter tunnel section. 1.3 billion drams of state
budgetary resources was allocated for its construction. It will
allow to ease traffic congestion at the crossroads of Yerevan's
Abovian-Myasnikian and Heratsi Streets.
The opening ceremony was attended by the RA president Serzh
Sargsyan, the former president Robert Kocharian, ministers and
other high-ranking officials. In the words of Yerevan mayor
Yervand Zakarian, Saralanj Highway is the first freeway
bypassing downtown Yerevan, which is an alternative to busy
Baghramian Avenue, Abovian Street, Khanjian Street and several
other streets full of traffic. "The operation of Saralanj Road
solves the problem of easing traffic in Yerevan because vehicles
moving from the city's north to its south and in the opposite
direction will no longer pass through the center of Yerevan,"
the mayor said. In connection with the elimination of
traffic-light regulation, construction of an overground
pedestrian crossing has already began in Heratsi Street and will
finish by late 2008. The road construction work in Ayrarat
Cinema - Heratsi Street section will also finish by late 2008,
ensuring a free movement of traffic along the Getar River's bed
to Saralanj Highway up to Davitashen Bridge.
During a talk with reporters Serzh Sargsyan attached
importance to the programs on road construction and school
construction. He also spoke about his recent visit to the U.S.
which he assessed as normal. In his words, the warmest and most
moving meeting was that with the Armenian community: "I told
them that we must be tolerant and competitive and that our power
is in our diversity." The president said that the power of the
local Dispora is felt: "I was just proud that we have some
compatriots who represent force and power in the world's most
powerful state."