Diyala begins improvement works on notorious ‘Road of Death’

KHANAQIN — The local government in Diyala has begun paving the second lane of a main road in the Khanaqin district, Diyala, a route often referred to as the “Road of Death” due to frequent traffic incidents.

The road, measuring seven kilometers in length and 8 meters in width, connects Diyala to Baghdad and other governorates. The project is expected to be completed within one and a half years at an estimated cost of 11 billion IQD ($7,246,800).

Ali Hilan, Director of Diyala Roads and Bridges, told 964media that the project aims to enhance infrastructure, improve mobility, and increase the level of services provided to citizens.

The road has long been notorious for frequent traffic accidents, and its paving is seen as a critical step toward addressing these safety concerns.

“We have started paving the international road in Khanaqin [Hamrin Road] towards Al-Muqdadiya. This road connects the province with Baghdad and other regions in the north and south,” Hilan explained.

The road will consist of two layers of stabilized asphalt, with the first layer being 10 cm thick and the second layer 7 cm thick.

Traffic accidents remain a significant concern in Iraq. In 2023, the country, excluding the Kurdistan Region, recorded 11,552 traffic accidents, resulting in 3,019 fatalities and 12,314 injuries. This marked a slight increase from 2022, which saw 11,523 accidents and 3,021 deaths. Driver error accounted for approximately 79% of these incidents, with vehicle-related issues and poor road conditions contributing to the remainder.

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