Photo from UNIAN
The ministry plans to upgrade and build at least 4,000 km of public highways of national importance this year.
Ukraine's Infrastructure Ministry says it is ready to start on March 1 the implementation of a large-scale construction program related to repairs and construction of roads, with UAH 75 billion (US$3.04 billion) in budget funds to be allocated under the project in 2020.
Read alsoUkraine may upgrade all major highways within two to three years – Ukravtodor
"The 2020 season of road works must be a record one. This year, UAH 75 billion in budget funds have been provided from all sources of financing for the road sector, which is 40% up from the past year. Now we are getting ready for a large-scale road construction campaign. To this end, we are upgrading approaches at all stages of work," Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Vladyslav Kryklii saiad, as reported by the ministry's press service on February 26.
The Cabinet also approved the procedure for using funds earmarked in the national budget for the implementation of state investment projects in the field of road construction and reconstruction of bridges. The aim is to improve performance on tasks defined by a presidential decree on some measures to create conditions for the development and improvement of the quality of roads.
"The government has approved the procedure for [the State Road Agency of Ukraine] Ukravtodor to borrow funds against state guarantees. This enables Ukravtodor to raise UAH 20 billion [US$811.4 million] for additional repairs and construction works," the minister said.
According to Kryklii, the ministry plans to upgrade and build at least 4,000 km of public highways of national importance in 2020.
"Creating a safe road environment and developing a network of modern and high-quality roads are key tasks of Ukraine's Infrastructure Ministry in the field of road construction. We are doing our best to carry them out as soon as possible," he added.
As UNIAN reported earlier, Ukravtodor launched repairs at 34 road facilities in 14 Ukrainian regions. The record-breaking early start of such overhauls is due to weather conditions favorable for road works, as well as thorough preparations.