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The World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved a US$ 40 million loan for the second Additional Financing for the Lifeline Road Improvement Project (LRIP-AF2) for Armenia. This project will assist the Government of Armenia in its on-going efforts to improve accessibility of the country’s main road network for the rural population and to create employment.

According to the WB Yerevan office, it will also help Armenia to further mitigate the impacts of the global economic crisis on the country’s economy and the well-being of its population.

The second additional financing will further scale-up activities under the on-going project to improve the condition of 190 km of roads. Over the years, insufficient investment in the rehabilitation and maintenance of lifeline roads has made the road quality poor, and left some roads difficult to use and others completely impassable.

The poor conditions and inadequacy of the lifeline roads connecting rural communities to the main highways affect many aspects of rural life: it means that business opportunities are lost, children find it hard to get to school, and it is difficult for people to get urgent medical attention when they need it.

“As in the case of the original project, rehabilitation of additional lifeline roads would create temporary jobs in rural areas, which have been hit by the crisis, and improve access to basic social services,” said Asad Alam, World Bank Regional Director for the South Caucasus Countries.