Rehabilitation of Pushkin Tunnel and construction of new Dilijan tunnel discussed with ADB representatives

A meeting was held with representatives of an Asian Development Bank (ADB) mission, led by Armenian Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Kristine Ghalechyan and attended by Narek Zulalyan, Deputy Executive Director of the Road Department Fund, as well as other officials from the fund.

According to a statement issued by the Road Department Fund, the discussions focused on the progress of major road construction projects implemented with ADB support, the next steps, and related legal, financial and technical matters. 

The Resilient and Inclusive Road Sector Improvement Project envisages the construction of the northern 27.1-kilometre section of the Sisian-Kajaran segment of the North-South Road Corridor. In 2025, Armenia and the Asian Development Bank signed a €236 million loan agreement to finance the project. 

The parties discussed the current status of the project, the stage reached in the tender procedures, land acquisition works, and the organisational and technical processes preceding the start of construction.

“The Asian Development Bank is one of Armenia’s most important partners, and the projects implemented jointly in the field of road infrastructure are of strategic importance to the country. I am confident that, through continued cooperation and effective coordination, we will be able to advance our joint projects within the established timeframes and ensure their successful implementation,” Ghalechyan said.

The meeting also addressed preparations for the rehabilitation of the Pushkin Tunnel, the construction of a new tunnel in Dilijan, and a new project for the post-disaster rehabilitation and improvement of the M-6 interstate highway. 

The parties discussed the project’s technical readiness, financing mechanisms and the next stages of implementation. 

At the end of the meeting, the sides reaffirmed their commitment to continued cooperation on road infrastructure development and agreed to maintain close coordination to ensure the effective and timely implementation of joint projects.