For communities living along the Salyan-Bilasuvar corridor in Azerbaijan, the old road was a daily headache: riddled with potholes, prone to flooding, and lacking basic safety features.

That's all changed after the route was expanded and rehabilitated. Essential services can now reach even the most remote and vulnerable areas, farmers are accessing markets faster and with fewer losses, and even student attendance has improved.

"Attendance was naturally low during rainy and snowy weather," said Faiq Çobanov, the school principal in Qardili village. "However, these days, thanks to the construction of this road, our attendance is between 95% and 100%."

As Faiq explained, improved road access and a smoother ride have even helped attract teachers to work at the school, strengthening local education outcomes.

These impacts are being driven by the Regional Connectivity and Development Project, supported by the World Bank, which rehabilitated the Salyan-Bilasuvar road to improve safety, reliability, and accessibility for rural communities.

Access That Supports Everyday Work

The Salyan and Bilasuvar rayons lie in Azerbaijan's Aran economic region, where around 70% of the population lives in rural areas and agriculture remains the backbone of local livelihoods. For decades, poor road conditions made it harder to transport goods, access services, and move safely during periods of heavy rain or snow.

By upgrading more than 70 kilometers of roadway, the project has reduced travel time and vehicle operating costs, making transport more efficient and reliable. Today, more than 6,000 people use the road daily, while over 100,000 residents living near the corridor benefit from the safer and more reliable route.

For local producers, the difference is tangible. "Essentially, the main source of livelihood for the population is agriculture, particularly grain and cotton farming," said Alhüseyn Hüseynov, Chairman of the Municipality for Arbatan, Maryshly and Seyidgyshlagly villages. "The reconstruction and improvement of roads have had a major impact on people's economic well-being, making their work easier and allowing their products to be transported to the cities or other rayons much more conveniently."

"When the road was bad, the hives would break, frames would fall apart, and bees would die," Ahmadli emphasized. "But thank God, the roads have been fixed, and everything is easier now."

Özcan Ahmadli, farmer and honey producer, now moves his hives more safely and efficiently thanks to the rehabilitated road.

Creating Space for Small Businesses and Jobs

Improved connectivity has also opened opportunities for the roadside small business owners and entrepreneurs. As part of the project's local development component, community members received training in business planning, sales, and customer relations.

Since the road reopened, local entrepreneurs report stronger sales and increased customer traffic.

Aygün Tağiyeva, who runs a bakery, joined the training after hearing that the road would be rehabilitated. "On average, we have about 30-40 customers daily," she said. "Currently, three of us work here: my mother, me, and another woman who helps. We can barely keep up with the work. We plan to expand our business, and hopefully, we'll hire more people."

Across the project area, more than 300 community members, including women and men, received training and business advisory services. Together with improved access, these efforts have led to the opening of new roadside shops and cafés, generating local jobs and diversifying income sources.

During construction, the project also provided employment opportunities for local communities. At peak activity, more than 600 people were employed, including 358 residents from nearby towns and villages.

Aygün Tağiyeva runs her bakery along the Salyan-Bilasuvar corridor, where improved access is supporting small businesses.

Protecting Nature Alongside Connectivity

Along the corridor lies Lake Mahmudchala, a critical wetland on Azerbaijan's Mugan plain and an important stopover for migratory birds. Before the road was rehabilitated, parts of the lake had been cut off by a deteriorated alignment, which disrupted water flows and contributed to a sharp decline in bird populations.

During project preparation, the road's reconstruction was used as an opportunity to address these challenges. Adjustments to the alignment, improved drainage, and closer oversight helped restore natural water movement and reduce pressure on the ecosystem.

By the winter of 2025, observers have reported a noticeable increase in birds migrating through the area, with seasonal counts estimated at around 30,000 to 40,000, compared to much lower numbers in previous years.

Migratory birds at Lake Mahmudchala, where road rehabilitation contributed to restoring natural water flows.

Building Foundations for Resilient Growth

Beyond the physical upgrades, the project has also supported longer-term improvements in how Azerbaijan plans, manages, and maintains its road network such as developing strategies to improve sustainability of the road sector, introducing intelligent transport systems, and preventing premature damage of road assets from overloaded vehicles.

These efforts include options for electronic tolling, better monitoring of freight traffic, and early-warning systems for weather and geohazards, helping ensure that investments like the Salyan-Bilasuvar road remain safe, resilient, and financially sustainable over time.