Officials with the Ministry of Road, Transportation and Urban Development took part in the opening of new roads in Arkhangai aimag over the weekend.

A 59.9-km road from Khanuin Gol Bridge to Khalzan Burgedei Mtn. in Undur-Ulaan soum; a 37.6-km road between Khanuin Gol Bridge and Ikh Tamir soum; and a 29.9-km road connecting Kharkhoring and Tsetserleg cities were all opened. The roads are seven meters wide and have a daily capacity of 2,500 vehicles.

Minister for Road, Transportation and Urban Development Kh.Battulga told our correspondent that 1,100 to 1,200 km of new roads have been completed this year, including a 610-km road from Ulaanbaatar to Arkhangai aimag. Road construction work to connect the capital with western aimags will continue in the future.

The Minister said that price increases in imported road construction materials have increased the cost of building one km of road to between MNT 420 and 460 million, according to research. Also, he said new road construction work needs to take into account the needs of mining companies, which have vehicles weighing 60 tons, or even 100 or 120 tons, using roads.

Kh.Battulga added that a 107-km road between Bayankhongor and Uvurkhangai aimags, a road between Gobi-Altai and Bayankhongor aimags, and one between Khentii and Dornod aimags will be built in 2012.