One of the projects has recently been finalized while the remaining three are well underway.

The four projects, Addiabun-Addigrat, Shire-Addiabun, Shire-Addigoshu and Addigoshu-Lugdi , have been constructed in asphalt concrete standard, authority public relations head Samson Wondemu told ENA.

The fund for implementation of the projects is secured from the Ethiopian government and the World Bank, he said.

Chinese international construction companies are undertaking construction of the road projects while consulting activities are carried out by local and foreign firms, according to the head.

Samson said the roads have great importance to the public in the area in improving socio-economic status while helping Ethiopia interlink with ports in Sudan.

They have also great contribution to enhance the smooth movement of public and consumer goods to various markets in the region, he said.

The projects have already created over 4,000 jobs, according to the head.

Some 95 percent of construction works have been finalized to the 108-km Addiabun-Addigrat road project to which over 616.4 million birr was allocated, Project Consulting Engineer Ian Armstrong told ENA.

According to a consulting engineer, Phillip Rubin, the Shire-Addigoshu road that covers 156-km has also been constructed by Chinese firm CGGC.

Over 52 percent of the project has already been completed and the total project work is expected to be finalized by November 2010, he added.

According to the manager of the project, Tian Ming Ju, successful completion of the projects would have great importance to further strengthen existing cooperation between Ethiopia and China.

The third project, Shire-Addiabun road that covers 92-km costs the nation over 428 million birr, according to project consulting engineer, Durvash Kumar. He said the project is expected to be completed after two years .

The Addigoshu-Lugdi, the fourth road project, covers 157-km. Some 20 percent of its construction work has been finalized. The project costs Ethiopia over 627.7 million birr.

The public in the area and government officials at all levels of administration are closely working with the construction and consulting companies to the successful completion of the projects, according to the heads.

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