Construction of the 250-metre Shorsh Bridge is progressing along the Erbil-Koya highway. The project represents a major step in the Kurdistan Regional Government’s wider road development program.
The bridge stands at the spillway of Degala Dam near Kani Darband village. It forms part of the strategic highway connecting Erbil with Koya and surrounding areas.
According to Erbil Governor Omed Xoshnaw, the bridge will carry traffic in both directions. Each side will have three lanes. Its piers will reach 48 metres above ground, while the distance between two piers will reach about 80 metres.
Xoshnaw described the structure as a landmark engineering project. He also said the Kurdistan Region had not previously built a bridge with this height and design.
Awzan Company has already started pile-driving work. The bridge will combine concrete piers with steel upper girders. Therefore, engineers will use a composite construction system to support the highway.
Meanwhile, work continues across the wider Erbil-Koya highway project. Construction has now covered about 30 kilometres, while workers have paved 22 kilometres.
The entire highway stretches for roughly 48.5 kilometres. Officials estimate its cost at around 683 billion Iraqi dinars. Authorities expect the road to open in 2028.
The Erbil-Koya highway forms part of the KRG’s broader “road revolution.” The program aims to improve connections between cities, districts and rural communities.
In addition, better roads can reduce travel times and transportation costs. They can also help farmers move products to markets more efficiently.
KRG figures show the Ninth Cabinet completed 810 road and bridge projects between 2019 and 2026. These projects covered around 3,055 kilometres and cost approximately 1.057 trillion dinars.
The government has also launched major projects across Duhok, Erbil and Sulaymaniyah. These include the Baadre-Duhok highway, Koya-Shaqlawa road and Dukan-Khalakan corridor.
Despite financial pressures, the KRG continues to fund infrastructure through domestic revenues. Truck weigh-station revenues also contribute to road maintenance.
The Shorsh Bridge now adds a more complex engineering project to this expanding network. Once completed, it will strengthen the Erbil-Koya corridor and support the KRG’s long-term transport strategy.
