Iraq’s US $16.9bn ‘Route of Development’ infrastructure project to be overseen by special group
The road and rail project will span 1,200km and is expected to take between three to five years to be complete
According to Shada Radi, spokesperson for the Iraqi Ministry of Transport, a special group has been established to oversee the implementation of a project to build 1,200km of road and rail infrastructure that will link the country to Europe and other countries in the Middle East.
Once complete, the US $16.9bn ‘Route of Development’ project will run from Iraq’s northern border with Turkey to the southern Gulf region. The plan comprises the construction of approximately 15 stations along the route, including major cities such as Basra, Baghdad, Mosul, and locations up to the Turkish border.
Plans for the route include the introduction of high-speed trains operating at speeds of up to 300km per hour, with connections to local industrial hubs and including an energy component with the potential for oil and gas pipelines.
As per Radi, the primary objective of the project is to enhance economic cooperation between Iraq, Turkey, and Europe. A Reuters report said the project aims to connect Iraq’s oil-rich southern Grand Faw Port to Turkey, positioning the nation as a pivotal transit hub, significantly reducing travel time between Asia and Europe, potentially rivalling the Suez Canal.
Preparatory work is already underway with soil surveys being conducted to determine the optimal path for both road and rail connections. Radi noted that the newly established unit is also responsible for engaging with other countries to explore potential contributions to the realisation of the project.
“We perceive this project as a fundamental pillar for a sustainable non-oil economy, serving Iraq’s neighbours and the region while contributing to economic integration efforts,” said Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shia Al Sudani while presenting the project to representatives from other countries.
Any country wishing to participate would have the opportunity to contribute to a portion of the project, the Iraqi parliament’s transport committed stated. The committee also estimated a project completion timeline of three to five years.
