DUSHANBE, November 5, 2012, Asia-Plus – A fatal traffic accident has been reported in the Shahriston Tunnel that links the northern part of Tajikistan within the center.

The Interior Ministry traffic police directorate says the accident took place in the tunnel on November 3.

“Opel-Astra, driven by Abduhofiz Abdurahimov, collided with Chinese-made Star belonging to Chinese construction company,” said the source.  “As a result of the collision, the Opel driver and his passenger sustained various wounds and were taken to the Shahriston central district hospital.  The passenger died in the hospital several hours later.”

The cause of the accident is under investigation.

We will recall that the Shahriston tunnel was introduced into operation on October 27.  The 5,252-meter Shahriston Tunnel is part the Dushanbe-Khujand-Chanak highway rehabilitation project.  The tunnel was constructed with help of specialists from China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC).  A total budget for construction of the Shahriston Tunnel is US$51.7 million.

The Dushanbe-Khujand-Chanak highway rehabilitation project was launched in summer 2006.  Chinese company, China Road and Bridge Corporation, won the tender and Beijing in 2006 offered Tajikistan grants and loans to fund the project.  A total project cost is estimated at $295.9 million, including $281.1 million provided by the Chinese government in a form of a long-term loan.  The loan carries a 20-year period and an interest rate of 2 percent per annum.  The remaining some $14.8 million have been provided by the Government of Tajikistan.