Iraq - Iraq Transport Economic Corridors Project

Overview & Synopsis

Iraq Transport Economic Corridors (ITREC) for Iraq has the development objectives to enhance connectivity, resilience, safety, and institutional sustainability of priority road transport infrastructure and create jobs in transport and related sectors. Component 1: Safe and Resilient Road Infrastructure will deliver civil works using a safe systems and climate-resilient approach. Sub-components include Sub-component 1.1, implementation of the initial phase of Expressway 2 between Baghdad and Samarra through design, construction, and operations and maintenance of a new corridor and feeder links using Output and Performance Based Road Contracts (OPBRCs) and intelligent transport systems (ITS) to reduce travel times, decongest urban roads, and strengthen climate resilience; Sub-component 1.2, rehabilitation and five-year maintenance of the 84-kilometer R9B segment of Expressway 1 using an OPBRC with climate performance and recovery indicators and safety audits to maintain service levels; Sub-component 1.3, rehabilitation and maintenance of priority corridors in the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), including the Sulaymaniyah–Chamchamal–Kirkuk road (Tasluja to Bani Maqan), the Girsheen–Suhaila road, and the Girsheen Interchange using OPBRCs with resilient and safe standards; and Sub-component 1.4, piloting of road safety features through a multi-sectoral corridor demonstration on Expressway 1 and other priority segments with speed management, enforcement equipment, and evaluation. Component 2: Institutional Strengthening and Preparation of Future Interventions will enable reforms and pipeline development. Sub-components include Sub-component 2.1, capacity building for road sector public-private partnerships (PPPs) to prepare the Expressway 2 extension as a bankable transaction, develop a national tolling strategy, strengthen OPBRC performance monitoring, and design sustainable payment mechanisms such as a dedicated Payment Account and a future Road Fund; Sub-component 2.2, preparation of a national Road Safety Mass Action Program for at least 1,000 kilometers and support to road safety management and crash data systems; Sub-component 2.3, strengthening environmental, social, and health and safety management, grievance redress, stakeholder engagement, livelihood restoration, and occupational health and safety; Sub-component 2.4, design and engineering of future road interventions, including Expressway 2’s extension and road safety and emergency action plans, and enhancement of the Road Asset Management System to integrate safety and climate resilience; and Sub-component 2.5, sector reform studies to maximize socio-economic benefits, promote multimodal logistics and lower greenhouse gas emissions, embed climate risk assessments, advance the PPP enabling environment, upgrade road safety, and promote regional trade corridors. Component 3: Implementation and Project Management Support will provide specialized consultants for the Project Management Team in contract management, OPBRCs, ITS, tolling and design-build-operate-maintain models, and finance independent engineering reviews, construction supervision, materials testing, and contingencies to ensure compliance with standards and climate specifications. Component 4: Contingent Emergency Response will provide immediate response to an eligible crisis or emergency when activated.