The project will involve upgrading of the 78-kilometer Taungoo – Latetho – Yardo – Loikaw – Hopong Road connecting Bago Region; and Kayin, Kayah and Shan States.

The Department of Highways (DOH) of the Ministry of Construction will upgrade 18 kilometers of the 12-feet wide pavement from the current gravel and earth to concrete; and construct new box culverts, 8,532-meter stone masonry drain and 367-meter retaining wall using proceeds from a loan from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under the “Regional Development Project for Poverty Reduction Phase 2 (MY-P17)”.

Embankment and bituminous pavement widening, seal coating and construction of asphalt concrete pavement, stone masonry drain and retaining wall works of the remaining section will be covered using Government budget.

The Project is one of the components of the Government’s action plan of “strengthening social, economic and physical connectivity in lagging regions with growth/population hubs within Myanmar and regions beyond” that supports its strategy of promoting equitable socio-economic development throughout all states and regions. Specifically, this project aims to enable transport of local commodities nationwide by the local ethnic people from Kayah State, Shan State, Kayin State, and provide safe and efficient access to people from Central Myanmar to visit and engage with ethnic leaders and communities. The project is also expected to facilitate transport of commodities to the neighboring country of China through Shan State.