Following comprehensive renovation and redesign work, both sides of the city’s main tunnel to Peshraw district reopened to drivers on July 22, 2025, addressing critical infrastructure needs and improving public safety.
Project Details and Financial Investment
The ambitious infrastructure project represents a significant investment in Sulaymaniyah’s urban development. The Sulaymaniyah Municipality revealed that the total budget allocated for this comprehensive renovation reached 3,179,428,500 dinars, with the project timeline spanning exactly 365 calendar days. The extensive work was carried out under the joint supervision of municipal teams and Qaywan Company, the primary contractor responsible for executing the renovation.
Sheikh Fakhir Sheikh Tayeb, Executive Director of Qaywan Company Group, addressed the media during the tunnel’s reopening ceremony, explaining the rationale behind the major renovation effort. He emphasized that the decision to undertake this comprehensive reconstruction emerged from coordination meetings with the Sulaymaniyah Municipality presidency, following multiple unfortunate incidents that had occurred in the tunnel previously. These safety concerns necessitated immediate action to protect public welfare.
The renovation work involved complete redesign and modernization of the tunnel infrastructure. This included upgrading safety systems, improving ventilation, enhancing lighting conditions, and reinforcing structural elements to meet contemporary engineering standards. The project aimed to transform what had become a problematic passage into a safe, efficient transportation corridor.
Strategic Importance for Urban Connectivity
The tunnel’s renovation addresses a crucial contemporary need for the city’s transportation network. Sheikh Tayeb highlighted the strategic significance of this infrastructure, noting that the passage serves as a vital link connecting Sulaymaniyah to the suburban areas surrounding the city. This connection facilitates easier movement for residents of these outlying neighborhoods, reducing travel time and improving access to urban services and employment opportunities.
The tunnel’s role extends beyond simple transportation convenience. It serves as a critical artery in the city’s circulation system, helping to manage traffic flow and reduce congestion in other parts of Sulaymaniyah. By providing a direct route through challenging terrain, the tunnel eliminates the need for lengthy detours that would otherwise burden the surface road network.
Urban planners recognize that efficient transportation infrastructure directly impacts economic development and quality of life. The renovated tunnel supports commercial activities by facilitating the movement of goods and services between different city districts and suburban areas. This connectivity proves essential for maintaining Sulaymaniyah’s position as a regional economic center.
Despite the official reopening, municipal authorities acknowledge that construction work continues in certain sections of the tunnel. The decision to reopen both sides to traffic stems from the recognition of the tunnel’s critical importance to daily traffic flow and public safety considerations. The heavy traffic load that typically passes through this route made partial closure unsustainable for extended periods.
Construction teams will continue working on remaining sections while maintaining full traffic access. This phased approach allows the municipality to balance ongoing improvement needs with the practical necessity of keeping this vital transportation link operational. The completion of remaining work segments will proceed according to a schedule designed to minimize disruption to daily traffic patterns.
The successful reopening represents a significant milestone in Sulaymaniyah’s ongoing urban development efforts, demonstrating the city’s commitment to maintaining and improving its infrastructure to serve growing population needs and economic demands.
