Over $14 billion invested in Azerbaijan's transport sector
By Nazrin Gadimova
Some $14.5 billion was invested in Azerbaijan's transport sector in the period of 2007-2013, Head of Transport Sector Policy and Economics Department of Azerbaijan's Transport Ministry Heydar Turabov said.
He made the remarks during a conference titled "Road and Underground Infrastructure - Solutions to the Problems of Urbanization" on June 13.
"Almost $12 billion of the total investment has been allocated to the development of road transport infrastructure," Turabov said, adding that in particular, about $ 2.4 billion was spent for these purposes in 2013.
He noted that the money spent on freight cars increased by 3.8 percent, on transit by 8.6 percent, while passenger traffic by 6.1 percent from 2003 to 2013.
Moreover, Turabov said the ministry is developing a state program to address traffic problems in Baku. The program, according to him, will cover the period of 2014-2018.
"The state program envisages activities for reconstruction of existing and construction of new roads, road junctions, bridges and pedestrian crossings," he said, adding that in accordance with the state program, the territory of Baku would be divided into three parking zones.
"The ministry is preparing a state program to regulate traffic, which involves the construction of 71 parking spaces," he added.
"A large portion of traffic in the country falls on Baku. If the length of roads is 1550 kilometers today, their length should be increased to four or five thousand kilometers in future to ensure this stream," Turabov said.
He also said it is planned to complete the process of modernization and reconstruction of the main highways of the country by the end of 2015.