Critical Components
Security -- Security along central portions of the road construction area deteriorated significantly during the past week. There were nighttime drive-by shooting incidents and several remotely detonated mines or explosive devices targeting Ministry of the Interior (MOI) guard and patrol personnel as well as police staff in Ghazni. The explosion at the Ghazni police station resulted in the deaths of several officers and wounded numerous bystanders. A remotely detonated explosive device was apparently planted on one of the expatriate security supervision vehicles, causing injuries. The project management team held discussions with the Governors of Ghazni, Zabol and Kandahar and the Minister of the Interior on options for addressing these increased attacks. A proposal was outlined for significantly increasing guard operations within the central portion of the road corridor, which will be discussed with Coalition Forces leaders.
Demining -- A compactor working on the road shoulder expansion in Section "C" struck a deeply buried anti-tank land mine, severely damaging the machine and injuring the operator.
Supplies -- Some delays are still being experienced with the supply and transport of bitumen, but most subcontractors are now receiving regular shipments. Asphalt paving is proceeding in four of the five Sections. Section "E" is still experiencing delivery problems so the prime contractor is considering the reallocation of work boundaries to avoid potential scheduling delays.
Construction Progress
Fine grading and paving improvement advanced in spite of the sharp rise in security incidents in Sections "C" through "F". 'Chip Seal' covering of the fine-graded base is providing a much improved traffic surface pending the lay down of asphalt-treated base (ATB) materials. Fine grading and paving improvement activities now cover nearly half of the 389 km total distance.
|
Indicator
|
Reporting Period
|
Cumulative Total
|
| Demined (km) |
24
|
315
|
| Aggregate Produced for Asphalting (mt) |
117,000
|
920,000
|
| Paving/'Chip Seal' Activities (km) |
38/7
|
69/20
|
| Workers Injured/Killed in Hostile Action |
5*/3
|
12/9
|
(Note: Total length is 389 kms; 900,000 mt of aggregate is required for first layer paving.)
* Includes 2 Ghazni police officers and 3 NGO engineers killed in Ghazni area. These individuals were not working on the road project, but were in close proximity to the road and their deaths are affecting road security response and worker morale.