Recently, the construction of the Murovdag Tunnel in Azerbaijan is in full swing and has made breakthrough progress. This 23.4-kilometer-long highway tunnel is a marvel of engineering, and once completed, it will become one of the longest tunnels in the world. It adopts a two-way two lane design, like a giant dragon winding under the earth.

The implementation team of the project is led by the experienced Türkiye contractor Cengiz Construction, while the Azerbaijan National Automobile Road Bureau is responsible for overall management to ensure the smooth progress of the project. The Murovdag Tunnel is a key component of the 81 kilometer new road connecting Toghanali, Kalbajar, and Istisu, which will replace the existing Route 19 and bring a qualitative leap to local transportation.

The tunnel project is expected to be officially opened to traffic in 2026. During the construction process, the 38 transverse passages connecting the dual pipes of the tunnel have also been successfully driven, providing important guarantees for ventilation, evacuation, and other aspects of the tunnel. At the same time, the support project is still in full swing, with key facilities such as ventilation, lighting, traffic control, and safety systems being installed in an orderly manner to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the tunnel.

The construction of the Murovdag Tunnel has an urgent practical need. It aims to replace the winding section of Highway 19 between Yanshag and Azgilli villages, which is located in the scenic Goygol National Park. Although the scenery is pleasant, the traffic conditions are worrying. It crosses the Murovdag mountain range at an altitude of 3260 meters, with winding roads known for their danger and difficulty. Especially in winter, extreme weather conditions occur frequently, and roads are often blocked by ice and snow, posing great safety hazards to passing vehicles and pedestrians.

The new highway project not only includes the Murovdag super tunnel, but also adds four tunnels with a total length of over 2600 meters. Once the new highway is fully completed, it will provide drivers with a faster and safer travel route. The improved route will greatly increase the opportunity to enter the area and improve the reliability and safety of transportation. At the same time, it will also become a powerful booster for the development of the tourism industry, enabling more tourists to conveniently enter the Goigar National Park and appreciate the magnificent scenery of nature.

The Azerbaijani government has been committed to improving domestic road traffic connections, and the Murovdag Tunnel project is one of the important initiatives of this strategy. Its completion will not only change the local transportation pattern, but also inject new vitality into regional economic development and social progress. Editor/Cheng Liting