DUSHANBE, January 16, 2014 Asia-Plus -- A 306-meter bridge, which is part of the Kulob-Qalai Khumb highway construction project, was commissioned in the Shouroobod district, Khatlon province last week.

The project implementation unit (PIU) director Ismonqul Shoqulov says construction of the 306-meter bridge in the Khirmanjo area was finished in the autumn last year.  It is the longest bridge of the project.

According to him, a 298-meter bridge constructed in the Kisht area, Shouroobod district is expected to be commissioned next month.

“Construction of the bridge across the Obi Noyob River, which is the third of a serious of bridges provided for by the project, is expected to be completed in the second half of this year, the PIU director said, noting that the project provides for construction and rehabilitation of eleven bridge with a total length of some 1,100 meters.  Seven new bridges will be built and fourth others will be rehabilitated under the project.

The Kulob-Qalai Khumb highway construction project is reportedly funded by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED), OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), and Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD).  These financial institutions have reportedly provided a loan of 85 million USD for the project while the Government of Tajikistan has contributed 7.9 million USD.

The project is expected to be finished at the end of this year.