Two Chinese contractors will start construction in August on two road tunnel projects costing US$112M in Tajikistan.
The larger project will be carried out by China Road and Bridge Corporation under a US$72M contract. Work involves the 5km long Shahriston tunnel on the Dushanbe to Khujand highway.
Tajik transport and roads minister Abdurahim Ashurov said work on the scheme was due to start on 15 August. He also confirmed that China Railway Engineering Corporation had won a US$40M to construct the 2.3km Shar-Shar tunnel on the Dushanbe to Kulob motorway.
The tunnel, which will take 38 months to complete, will be built about 80km south east of the Tajikistan capital, Dushanbe. Ashurov said construction of the tunnel would start on 20 August.
The Chinese government has extended credit financing for the scheme.
