A new vehicular bridge that connects Astara in northwestern Iran to the city of the same name in southeast of the Republic of Azerbaijan was brought into operation at the common border on Saturday.
The long-awaited vehicular bridge, built over the Astarachay River, was inaugurated at a ceremony attended by Iranian Roads Minister Mehrdad Bazrpash and Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev.
The border bridge has a width of 32 meters and is 89 meters long. It completes a major section of an international highway that connects Iran’s Rasht to the Azeri capital of Baku.
Speaking in the inauguration ceremony, Bazrpash said the new bridge is the fifth border crossing between the two neighbors.
The old bridge and terminal between the two countries at Astara border had created many problems in the travel of trucks, the minister said, adding that the new bridge will significantly cut traffic congestion at the border.
Bazrpash noted that the road and rail transport between the two countries have increased by 40 and 47 percent respectively.
The foundation of the new bridge over the Astarachay river was laid in January 2022.