The construction of Phase 2 of the Tehran-North Freeway, connecting the capital to Chalus in Mazandaran Province, was officially launched on Saturday in the presence of first Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri, Minister of Roads and Urban Development Abbas Akhoundi, and head of Mostazafan Foundation Mohammad Saeedikia. “The 22-kilometer stretch is being constructed by four Iranian contractors,” Jahangiri was quoted by IRNA as saying.
The mega project worth $2.2 billion consists of four phases spanning 121 km. The 32 km Phase 1 that is almost 85% complete, will cut short the existing route to the Caspian resort by 60 kilometers. Phase 1 includes a 6,500-meter tunnel excavation work of which was completed recently. Phases 2 and 3 pass through rugged mountainous terrain and will take longer to complete. The 20 km Phase 4 was inaugurated in March 2014.
Mostazafan Foundation, the largest charity and the second-largest socio-economic conglomerate, is overseeing the project.
The Tehran-North Freeway is perhaps one of the most notorious projects in Iran as it is 20 years in the making. During his visit Saturday to the site, Saeedikia apologized for the inordinate delays, saying Phase 1 will be completed before the calendar year is out in March 2018.
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