King of the Asphalt

Baku will be hosting the first European Games in 2015. What projects is Azeryolservis working on to contribute to the development of the road infrastructure for this event?

The fact that Azerbaijan will be hosting the inaugural European Games in 2015 is yet another major victory of our country. Of course, this victory is the logical result of the multifaceted policies pursued by the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, who has signed an order to set up an organizing committee to prepare for the first European Games in 2015. As a result of this decision, the President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, a member of the Executive Committee of the National Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan, and Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO, Mehriban Aliyeva, has been appointed Chairperson of the committee. The activities currently underway are progressing on schedule and will create favorable conditions for a successful event. An action plan on resolving transportation problems in Baku has been prepared and is now being implemented. The plan involves the expansion and reconstruction of the roads leading to the Baku Olympic Stadium and other sports facilities, the construction of new road junctions and highway interchanges, and the expansion of the existing roads along with the construction of new routes to suburban recreation areas. In addition, road markings and the installation of road signs and the construction of major highways will be completed. One of the most important undertakings on our agenda is the construction of highway interchanges to the Baku Olympic Stadium, where the main events will be held. With this aim, work is ongoing to rebuild the Ziya Bunyadov Avenue and establish new road junctions over it. There are also plans to build a new road from the end of Hasan Aliyev Street, which runs parallel to Heydar Aliyev and Ziya Bunyadov avenues, to Keshla station over Ziya Bunyadov Avenue directly to the Olympic stadium. The road will be seven kilometers in length and have six lanes. Tunnels and interchanges will be built along the road as well. The mentioned roads are expected to be the most popular routes during the Games. In addition, reconstruction and expansion work will be carried out on other roads of the city.

What are the main challenges in improving urban infrastructure in Azerbaijan, now that the main arteries have been built or renovated?

The extensive landscaping work under way in the country certainly covers the city of Baku and its suburban settlements. The program of measures to improve the transport system in Baku and accelerate the overall socioeconomic development of suburban settlements of the city has contributed a great deal to the solution of road infrastructure problems in the capital. The construction and major overhaul carried out on the Zabrat-Balakhani-Mehdiabad-Khirdalan-Binagadi road, the Zikh roundabout-airport, the Azizbayov roundabout-airport and the Azadlig Square-Zikh roundabout highways, the Baku circular road 1, the stretch of the Baku-Alat highway between KP 2 and KP 6, the section of the road from the Sabunchu road junction to the Zabrat roundabout, the Zabrat-Mashtaga-Buzovna, the Zabrat-Pirshagi and the Zikh roundabout-airport-Gala highways, as well as other roads, avenues, and streets, have eliminated traffic congestion and created safer driving conditions. In addition, the Baku-Novkhani, Baku-Guba, Baku-Shamakhi, Buzovna-Mardakan-Gala, and the Gala-Shuvelyan-Pirallahi highways, as well as multi-tier road junctions on Ziya Bunyadov Avenue and Abdul Vahab Salamzadeh Street, are also contributing to the development of our infrastructure. According to resolutions signed by the head of state approving action plans on modernizing the transport system in Baku for 2006-2007 and 2008-2013, we have started the construction of highway interchanges and pedestrian crossings in a number of congested routes across the capital. As part of the program approved by the President for 2006-2013, a total of 61 modern road junctions and tunnels have been built and put into operation. We have completed 68 pedestrian crossings in Baku over this period. In addition to contributing to the safety of pedestrians in busy parts of the city, such crossings are also fitted with sophisticated equipment, which is an important novelty for our city.

What experience have you gained in introducing new technologies to road construction?

One of the most fundamental principles of the Ministry of Transport is to facilitate the sustainable development of the road infrastructure. In order to increase the adhesion qualities of bitumen, we have extensively utilized such additives as Sasobit, Creaton, Interlene in 400L, and Elvaloy AM. To minimize cracks in asphalt, we have recently introduced a mesh-shaped material called Geogrid, which contributes to a longer service life of the asphalt concrete coating and improves its quality. We have also begun cooperating with the American company US Road. This collaboration is intended to pave the way for the application of nano-tested polymeric products in Azerbaijan. We are determined to continue looking out for new road infrastructure technologies emerging across the globe.

What measures has Azeryolservis taken to facilitate the development of Azerbaijan’s districts?

In an effort to implement the instructions of the President in a timely and efficient manner, the Ministry of Transport has carried out major construction and renovation work on national and local roads. We can proudly say that specific measures have been taken to build comfortable roads connecting the various districts and residential settlements of the country with each other. The large-scale projects carried out in this direction have always been the focus of the President’s attention. We have received specific instructions on building roads even to the outermost mountain villages of the country. The successful reconstruction of roads such as the Bilasuvar-Iranian border, Lankaran-Lerik, Masalli-Yardimli, Ganja-Dashkasan-Khoshbulag, Guba-Ispik-Khinalig, Shamakhi-Pirgulu, Tovuz-Alibayli, Shamkir-Gadabay, Ismayilli-Qabala, Khaldan-Mingachevir, Agdash-Laki, Guba-Gachrash-Gimilgazma, Gusar-Anig-Laza, Gazakhbayli-Ashagi Salahli, Qabala-Agdash, Oguz-Qabala, Guba-Gusar, Shaki-Gakh, Agstafa-Poylu, the Yevlakh-Barda stretch of the Yevlakh-Khojaly-Lachin road, and of more than 220 bridges, clearly demonstrates the level of attention to this sphere.

What do you expect the new term of President Ilham Aliyev will bring to road infrastructure and the transport sector?

The people of Azerbaijan passed another test by electing someone who has won widespread popular support. This demonstrates the people’s desire to continue on the path toward rapid development and progress. As in all other spheres, the transport sector also achieved tremendous progress in 2013. Our company did its best to execute the tasks entrusted to it in 2013. All this shows yet again that the development of road infrastructure is one of the country’s top priorities. This sphere holds a special place in the successful domestic policies of President Ilham Aliyev. The people working in this sector of the economy will continue to do their best to live up to public expectations for this sphere.