HERAT, Afghanistan — Local authorities in Herat say a project to construct a second carriageway on the Herat–Islam Qala Highway has been approved by the Ministry of Public Works, with construction expected to begin in the near future.
According to a statement from the Herat provincial administration’s media office, the project will be implemented under a toll road investment model, and work is set to commence soon.
Stretching approximately 120 kilometers, the Herat–Islam Qala Highway is one of Afghanistan’s most important transit corridors. In addition to serving passenger traffic, the route facilitates a significant volume of commercial and transit trade between Afghanistan and neighboring Iran through the Islam Qala border crossing.
Officials expressed hope that the addition of a second carriageway will improve traffic flow, increase the highway’s transportation capacity, and significantly reduce road accidents along the route.
The project is expected to enhance regional connectivity and support growing trade and transportation needs on one of western Afghanistan’s busiest highways.
