Aid in Action

Tunnel Opens Opportunities for Truckers

USAID helps rebuild and maintain 2.6 mile-long Salang Tunnel in Afghanistan

Salang Tunnel | Sunday, June 01, 2003

"If the tunnel is open and the road is good, my income will go higher and the whole world will be happy. Then I will have no headache."

Before the reopening of the Salang Tunnel, the road between the Afghan capital Kabul through the towering Hindu Kush mountains to Mazar-e-Sharif was nearly impassable in winter. Without a rail system, landlocked Afghanistan is dependent on its roads and airports to bring in food, commercial goods, fuel, and other necessities from outside the country.

During the winter months, keeping the 2.6 mile-long Salang Tunnel and forty-two miles of road at its northern and southern approaches cleared of avalanches and open to traffic is a daunting but vital task. funded a project that reopened the tunnel, and provided an additional $1.6 million to clear snow, make emergency repairs, and manage the tunnel traffic during the winter.

Learn more: Infrastructure

Related stories
Kabul’s Youth Gain Hope as USAID sets Foundation for New High School Ghazi High School will provide education for 5,000 students in Kabul City.	New Road Increases Market Access and Security Improved road enhances economy and security
First Airstrip in Zabul Province First airstrip in Zabul Province opens gateway to development	Panjshir Valley Road Transformed Paved road provides improved access to mountain area
New Road Increases Access to Basic Facilities New road cuts travel time and increased access to reach schools, clinics and markets	Roads Improve Journey from Kabul to Kandahar USAID helps reconstruct major highway as key to Afghanistan’s economic recovery
New Irrigation Technology Gives Families Hope USAID helps Afghan family survive drought and expand their orchard business	New Wells Save Lives in Afghanistan USAID provides communities with wells to improve health of rural villagers
Creating Canal-Irrigated Land In Afghanistan USAID helps hundreds of villagers implement region’s largest irrigation project to date	Afghans Build Their Road to Opportunity Improving major road systems through education, training and technology