Kabul-Kandahar highway

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Asphalt layer followed by compactor, Kabul-Kandahar Road. Afghanistan, July 1, 2003.

The Kabul-Kandahar highway is a 483-kilometer (300-mile) road linking Afghanistan's two largest cities, Kabul and Kandahar. This highway is a key portion of Afghanistan's national road system or "Ring Road". Approximately 35 percent of Afghanistan's population lives within 50 kilometers of the Kabul to Kandahar portion of the Ring Road.

The Kabul-Kandahar highway was in major disrepair due to over two decades of war and neglect. The United States funded the repair and rebuilding of 389 kilometers of road, while Japan funded 50 kilometers. 43 kilometers of the highway were already useable prior to the repairs. The rebuilding project was overseen by the Louis Berger Group, with assistance in planning and design by Turkish and Indian engineers. Phase one of paving was completed in December 2003 and the highway was opened to traffic.^[1] The journey used to take travelers two days but now takes about 6 hours.

[edit] Deaths

As of early 2004, Taliban rebels continued to harass travelers of the corridor. Afghan guards, soldiers and workers have been killed along the route. In October 2003, they kidnapped a Turkish contractor, and that December they kidnapped two Indian workers. In February 2004, Taliban rebels shot down a Louis Berger Group helicopter, killing three.

In March 2004, rebels murdered a Turkish engineer and an Afghan guard. Another Turkish engineer and a translator were kidnapped. This action prompted the United States to set up small civilian-military teams in three locations along the route.