Kabul, Afghanistan - December 28, 2009 — IRD has received a modification to the Cooperative Agreement from USAID totaling $97.5 million to expand the Strategic Provincial Roads Program in Southern and Eastern Afghanistan. This will include the paved reconstruction of the Ghazni to Gardez Road, which is classified as a 92-kilometer National Highway. SPR-SEA is also pleased to announce the substantial completion of Road #4, Mendrawol to Qarghayi, in Laghman Province. A joint inspection took place on 12 December with representatives of the Ministry of Public Works, USAID, and IRD.

"Completion of Road #4 will help farmers east of Kabul access markets where they can sell their produce," said Mario Rizos, IRD's Director of Infrastructure. "Families will also be able to better reach help when a loved one is sick or hurt."

The Strategic Provincial Roads Program in Southern and Eastern Afghanistan is a three-year program to construct more than 1,500 kilometers of gravel and paved roads in some of the most dangerous regions in Afghanistan.