ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Construction has begun on the second phase of Erbil’s planned 150-metre ring road on Saturday. The total project is a 70 kilometre-long highway that will encircle the Kurdistan Region’s capital city of Erbil.

The first part of the giant road, which is 14 kilometres long and connects the Erbil-Shaqlawa to Erbil-Baharka roads, was opened in February. This initial portion of the road cost $131 million.

The second phase of the highway is 7.2 kilometres long, connecting Erbil-Shaqlawa to Erbil-Koya roads.

Erbil is already looped by five ring roads: the 30m, 40m, 60m, 100m, and 120m. It is hoped that the project will help alleviate the sprawling city’s congestion.

Last week, the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) Department of Media and Information announced that Prime Minister Masrour Barzani had agreed to start the project. The construction began on Saturday.

On either side of the giant 150-meter road, there will be five vehicle lanes. The road will be connected to a service road.

The project will be implemented with the help of a long-term loan by the Hemn Group. The 120-meter road was also constructed through the same company.

The entire ring project is expected to take three-and-a-half years to complete.

Translation by Sarkawt Mohammed