Iraq Transport Ministry reports 95% completion of Development Road designs

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) — Minister of Transport Wahab Al-Hasani met with the Parliamentary Transport and Communications Committee on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, to review execution milestones across strategic infrastructure projects, including the Development Road, the Grand Fao Port, and national rail modernization. During the executive session, Al-Hasani presented technical updates on the 1,200-kilometer Development Road Project, confirming that primary design phases are near completion, with railway engineering blueprints reaching 95% and highway transit designs at 85%. Key Operational Metrics & Project Milestones Development Road Project: Designs for the 1,200 km transit corridor are nearly complete (95% for railway tracks, 85% for highways). The MOU executed with Turkey serves as a preliminary framework with no current financial or legal obligations. Grand Fao Port: Submerged tunnel construction reached 86% completion, alongside advanced structural work across five main container berths. Rail Network Modernization: Ministry teams are actively pursuing the rehabilitation of the Baghdad–Mosul–Rabia railway corridor extending toward the Syrian border. Maritime Fleet Mobilization: State maritime companies confirmed readiness to deploy Iraqi vessels to transport crude oil and refined petroleum products to support alternative national export strategies. Administrative & Executive Actions: Al-Hasani confirmed the suspension of Iraqi Airways’ former Director-General and two deputies following an internal investigative audit. Legislative Alignment: Agreement reached to draft amendments to Transport Law No. 80 of 1983 and establish a joint parliamentary-executive committee holding weekly meetings to update transport regulations. The meeting highlights Iraq’s strategy to transform into a central logistics bridge connecting the Gulf to Europe, bypassing maritime transit chokepoints. By pairing the Grand Fao Port’s advancing infrastructure with overland rail links extending north to Turkey and west through the Baghdad–Mosul–Rabia line toward Syria, the Ministry of Transport is laying the groundwork for integrated commercial supply chains across Eurasia. The post Iraq Transport Ministry reports 95% completion of Development Road designs appeared first on Iraqi News.