Jimma-Chida concrete asphalt road project in Ethiopia has kicked off after the government of the East African country embodied by , laid the foundation stone for the start of the construction works, on Tuesday the 23rd of February this year.

The 80-kilometer road project, whose construction is expected to take place in four years’ time, has been contracted to , a large-scale construction enterprise and a model subsidiary of China Railway Engineering Corporation.

The foundation stone was laid in the presence of other senior Ethiopian officials, including  and representatives from the Chinese company.

Expectations for the project

Upon the completion of its construction works, the Jimma-Chida concrete asphalt road is expected to connect the coffee-producing areas of the southwestern region of the East African country to the main market areas in the central region and beyond.

The road project is also expected to facilitate the movement of tourists traveling to the , a newly established National Park located in Konta Woreda, Dawro Zone, approximately 480 km south of Addis on the Addis–Jimma-Chida-Ameya road, as well as professionals working on the 2,160-MW  which is being developed on the lower bank of the Omo River, in the southern region of the country.

Component of Ethiopia Integrated Transport Program Phase I

Jimma-Chida concrete asphalt road project is a component of the Ethiopia Integrated Transport Program Phase I (Jimma – Chida & Sodo-Sawla Road Upgrading Project). The latter consists of the upgrading of the existing 240 km road sections to all-weather high standard asphalt concrete surfaced road with a 7m wide carriageway and 1.5m x 2 sealed shoulders.

The road project will connect the towns of Jimma and Sodo directly and further connect Sawla to the main trunk road network, linking the local populations to Addis Ababa city and the rest of the country.