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4.1 Iraq Government Contact List
Total roads network 
Overview
The public road network evolved from caravan dirt roads to a network of modern paved roads with the construction of a large number of modern bridges across the country. The total road network in Iraq, including paved and unpaved primary or and secondary paved and un paved roads, and all other paved roads in the country was reported at , reached 58,592 Km km in 2018, according to the latest report of the Iraqi Ministry of Planning Iraq Ministry of Planning .
All paved road network is in good level of maintenance. Kurdistan Region road network accounts for 14.840 km. the roads and bridges in Mosul governorate are the most affected by the war, Iraqi Government started wear and tear of the roads.
Two principal axes run East – West from Jordan border, through Anbar Governorate and reach Baghdad, and North – South from Turkey/Syria border to Basrah and the coast of the Persian Gulf.
New road network is under construction in Kurdistan region with an investment project from 2013 to 2020, and will cost $5.2 billion. New tunnel has been opened for public use between Zakho (Ibrahim Khalil) and Duhok Governorate which decreased the time by approx. 30 mins.
In 2018, there were some 4,535,280 vehicles on the road.
In 2013, Ministry of Planning reported 9,725 traffic accidents causing 2,601 death casualties.
(Iraq Ministry of Planning Central Statistical Information on Transportation)
Road Distance Information
...
Average Distance and drive time matrix between KR-I major cities and Baghdad
...
From
...
To
...
KM
...
Drive Time at
...
30km/h
...
50km/h
...
90km/h
...
Baghdad
...
Dohuk
...
465
...
15h30
...
9h20
...
5h10
...
Erbil
...
350
...
11h40
...
7h00
...
3h50
...
Sulaimaniya
...
331
...
11h00
...
6h40
...
3h40
...
Mosul
...
369
...
12h20
...
7h20
...
4h10
...
Kirkuk
...
255
...
8h30
...
5h10
...
2h50
...
Syria Border
...
430
...
16h00
...
9h40
...
5h20
...
Erbil
...
Mosul
...
84
...
2h50
...
1h40
...
1h00
...
Dohuk Through Bardarash
...
160
...
5h20
...
3h10
...
1h50
...
Dohuk through Akre
...
224
...
7h30
...
4h20
...
2h30
...
Kirkuk
...
93
...
3h10
...
1h50
...
1h00
...
Sulaimaniya
...
202
...
6h40
...
4h00
...
2h10
...
Said Sadiq
...
35
...
1h10
...
0h40
...
0h20
...
Dohuk
...
Mosul
...
69
...
2h20
...
1h20
...
0h50
...
Erbil Through Bardarash
...
160
...
5h20
...
3h10
...
1h50
...
Erbil through Akre
...
224
...
7h30
...
4h20
...
2h30
...
Kirkuk
...
248
...
8h20
...
5h00
...
2h50
...
Sulaimaniya
...
355
...
11h50
...
7h10
...
4h00
...
Zakho
...
60
...
2h00
...
1h10
...
0h40
...
Amadiyah
...
70
...
2h20
...
1h120
...
0h05
...
Turkey Border
...
70
...
2h20
...
1h20
...
0h50
...
Sulaimaniya
...
Kirkuk
...
109
...
3h40
...
2h10
...
1h10
...
Erbil
...
202
...
6h40
...
4h00
...
2h10
...
Mosul
...
286
...
9h30
...
5h40
...
3h10
...
Dohuk
...
355
...
11h50
...
7h10
...
4h00
...
Raniya
...
135
...
5h30
...
3h20
...
1h50
...
Kalar
...
136
...
4h30
...
2h40
...
1h50
...
Said Sadiq
...
75
...
2h30
...
1h30
...
0h50
...
Iran Border
...
60
...
2h00
...
1h10
...
0h40
Note: due to the new tunnel between Zakho and Duhok the distance and time has considerably reduced.
Please see this Road Distance Matrix for more information.
Road Security
The road security is affected by the ongoing conflict and unpredictable variations on accessibility occurs. In the Iraq Security Forces and Kurdish Security Forces controlled areas have various security checkpoints. UN Personnel traveling on roads between requires strict security clearance, and on most cases the armed escorts are acquired.
In disputed areas where security is not granted, only vehicles from the same governorate are allowed to circulate. Cargo with different provenance might need to be shifted from trucks with different plate number and re-loaded on locally registered trucks with local drivers. Cars with plates from different governorates are allowed to travel with strict security checks
Weighbridges and Axle Load Limits:
Main road network and most secondary roads have no limitations for heavy truck and truck trailer circulation. On highways maximum trucks with 40mt truck load are only permitted to travel.Central Statistical Information on Transportation. While the total length of the external roads network (outside the boundaries of the municipalities and the Municipality of Baghdad) is about 42,100 km comprising:
1. Freeway 1: It's the first and longest freeway in Iraq, it extends from Umm Qasr Port in Basra to Ar Rutba in Anbar with a length of 1,200 km (750 mi).
2. Arterial roads: That linking the provincial centres with a length of 11,000 km.
3. Secondary roads: That linking districts, counties with a length of 15,200 km.
4. Rural roads: That linking residential complexes in villages and rural areas with secondary arterial roads with a length of 3,700 km.
5. Border roads: That linking the borders crossings with a length of 11,000 km.
6. Freeway 2: Under construction with a length of 510 km.
The total number of cars and motorcycles for ministries and government agencies not affiliated with a ministry (130,775) vehicles, according to the following classification:
1. The total number of passenger cars (59,361) cars.
2. The number of total load cars (54,930) cars.
3. The total number of special specification cars is (13,304) cars.
4. The total number of motorcycles (3,180) bikes.
The total number of private sector cars, including KRI, amounted to (7,026,106) cars for the year 2020, and this total includes cars with plates (permanent, temporary inspection, national and parallel project).
In 2020, Ministry of Planning reported 8,186 traffic accidents causing (8,383) injuries and (2,152) deaths.
For more information on government contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Government Contact List.
Distance Matrix
Distances from Capital City to Major Towns (km) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Baghdad | Najaf | Anbar | Sulaymaniyah | Erbil | Mosul | Dohuk | Basra | |
Baghdad | 163 | 311 | 343 | 364 | 409 | 476 | 545 | |
Najaf | 163 | 430 | 496 | 532 | 567 | 635 | 455 | |
Anbar | 311 | 430 | 627 | 610 | 589 | 657 | 815 | |
Sulaymaniyah | 343 | 496 | 627 | 196 | 279 | 349 | 908 | |
Erbil | 364 | 532 | 610 | 196 | 87 | 157 | 891 | |
Mosul | 409 | 567 | 589 | 279 | 87 | 75 | 949 | |
Dohuk | 476 | 635 | 657 | 349 | 157 | 75 | 1,017 | |
Basra | 545 | 455 | 815 | 908 | 891 | 949 | 1,017 | |
Travel Time from Capital City to Major Towns (Hours: Minutes) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Baghdad | Najaf | Anbar | Sulaymaniyah | Erbil | Mosul | Dohuk | Basra | |
Baghdad | 02:15 | 03:47 | 04:40 | 05:28 | 04:54 | 05:48 | 06:46 | |
Najaf | 02:15 | 05:05 | 06:37 | 07:26 | 06:56 | 07:50 | 05:49 | |
Anbar | 03:47 | 05:05 | 07:40 | 07:20 | 06:53 | 07:47 | 09:34 | |
Sulaymaniyah | 04:40 | 06:37 | 07:40 | 02:46 | 03:52 | 04:44 | 10:22 | |
Erbil | 05:28 | 07:26 | 07:20 | 02:46 | 01:17 | 02:09 | 11:04 | |
Mosul | 04:54 | 06:56 | 06:53 | 03:52 | 01:17 | 01:07 | 11:17 | |
Dohuk | 05:48 | 07:50 | 07:47 | 04:44 | 02:09 | 01:07 | 12:11 | |
Basra | 06:46 | 05:49 | 09:34 | 10:22 | 11:04 | 11:17 | 12:11 | |
Road Security
All roads inside Iraq are secured by either the Iraqi security forces in FI or/and the Kurdish security forces in KRI. There are many security checkpoints between Iraq's governorates. UN staff traveling on intercity roads require strict security clearance, and in most cases armed escorts (personal protection forces or police forces) are obtained. Radar Surveillance service is available 24/7. Traffic Police Patrol is available 24/7. Most of the roads are marked or have signs, and highway signs are usually available in (Arabic and English) in FI, and (Kurdish, Arabic, and English) in KRI.
Trucks laden with (humanitarian or commercial) goods must meet the following pass/move requirements:
- Security approvals: (NOC) within FI, (NOC and JCC) inter-regional movement (either form FI to KRI or vice versa,) and (JCC) for movement within KRI.
- List of goods (waybill/invoice/Good Receive Note/PL) per truck.
- Customs exemption letter (If applicable), usually requested.
- The contracted transporter should provide an updated customs clearance letter, which needs to be attached to the movement facilitation request.
Weighbridges and Axle Load Limits
Axle Load Limits | Iraq | Turkey | Jordan | Kuwait | Iran |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Truck with 2 Axles | 15 Tons | 15 Tons | 12 Tons | 14.7 Tons | 15 Tons |
Truck with 3 Axles | 25 Tons | 25 Tons | 18 Tons | 16.1 Tons | 20 Tons |
Truck with 4 Axles | 30 Tons | 30 Tons | 22 Tons | 17.5 Tons | 30 Tons |
Semi-trailer with 3 Axles | 25 Tons | 25 Tons | 21 Tons | 18.9 Tons | 25 Tons |
Semi-trailer with 4 Axles | 34 Tons | 35 Tons | 26 Tons | 20.3 Tons | 35 Tons |
Semi-trailer with 5 Axles | 35 Tons | N/A | 28 Tons | 26.7 Tons | 35 Tons |
Semi-trailer with 6 Axles | 35 Tons | N/A | 32 Tons | 28 Tons | 38 Tons |
Truck & Drawbar Trailer with 4 Axles | 30 Tons | N/A | 28 Tons | 24.7 Tons | 35 Tons |
Truck & Drawbar Trailer with 5 Axles | 35 Tons | N/A | 32 Tons | 26 Tons | 38 Tons |
Truck & Drawbar Trailer with 6 Axles | 38 Tons | N/A | 32 Tons | 32 Tons | 45 Tons |
Truck & Drawbar Trailer with 7 Axles | 38 Tons | N/A | 40 Tons | 38 Tons | 46 Tons |
Road Class and Surface Conditions
Iraq Road Network (main roads) — WFP GeoNode
Overview
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