The Kore-Shaqlawa-Qandil road project has reached 70% completion. The Kurdistan Regional Government expects the road to open in October.
The 10-kilometer project will improve travel between Erbil and the Soran Independent Administration. It will also reduce travel time by more than 30 minutes.
According to the KRG Department of Media and Information, the project includes a dual carriageway, two tunnels and three interchanges. These upgrades aim to reduce congestion and improve road safety.
Construction crews continue work on the Mawaran Tunnel. The project team is following the required construction standards.
Meanwhile, workers have installed lighting and safety systems inside the Mirawa Tunnel. The road will also include an emergency escape ramp for heavy vehicles.
The ramp will help trucks with brake problems leave the main road safely. This feature could reduce the risk of serious accidents on steep mountain sections.
The new route crosses difficult mountainous terrain. Therefore, it should provide a safer alternative during winter.
The existing road across Mount Safin often faces heavy snowfall and difficult weather. These conditions can slow traffic and increase accident risks.
Once the road opens, motorists should save more than 30 minutes on trips between Erbil and Soran.
The new road forms part of the main highway toward the Haji Omeran international border crossing. As a result, the project has importance for both tourism and trade.
The route connects Erbil, Shaqlawa, Soran, Rawanduz and other mountain destinations. Thousands of visitors use this corridor during holidays and peak tourism seasons.
Improved access could therefore benefit hotels, restaurants and other tourism businesses. It could also support freight and passenger transportation.
Moreover, the road should improve access to Haji Omeran. The border crossing serves as an important commercial gateway between the Kurdistan Region and neighboring countries.
The Kore-Shaqlawa-Qandil project forms part of the Ninth Cabinet’s wider road development program.
KRG figures show that the government launched 1,271 road projects. Together, these projects represent more than 5.3 trillion Iraqi dinars in planned investment.
The projects cover about 5,940 kilometers of roads across the Kurdistan Region. Authorities have completed 810 projects covering around 3,055 kilometers.
Another 461 projects remain under construction. These projects cover approximately 2,885 kilometers.
The wider program includes new highways, tunnels and bridges. It also includes rehabilitation and resurfacing work on older roads.
In 2025, the KRG completed 172 road construction, rehabilitation and asphalting projects. The projects cost more than 92.46 billion Iraqi dinars.
The government also added safety infrastructure across the region. From 2019 to 2026, authorities marked 2,723 kilometers of roads. They also installed 19,342 traffic signs and 62 kilometers of guardrails.
Additionally, authorities built 59 pedestrian bridges during the same period.
Other major projects include the Erbil-Koya dual carriageway, Kalar-Darbandikhan road and Dukan-Chwarqurna route. Ring roads in Erbil and Sulaimani also form part of the program.
The KRG funds its road program through several sources. These include the investment budget and regular ministry allocations.
The government also uses part of the revenue from vehicle weigh stations. These funds support road maintenance and rehabilitation.
Overall, the Kore-Shaqlawa-Qandil road represents more than a new transport route. It will connect communities, tourism destinations and commercial centers more efficiently.
When the road opens in October, motorists should experience shorter and safer journeys. In the longer term, the project could strengthen tourism, trade and regional connectivity.
