Kathmandu, April 26, 2022. Representatives from Department of Roads, Millennium Challenge
Account Nepal Development Board (MCA-Nepal) and Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) jointly
inaugurated laboratories at the Department of Roads (DoR) on April 26.
The construction of the labs and installation of lab equipment by MCA-Nepal is an important milestone funded by the MCC-Nepal Compact.
DoR is a key partner in MCA-Nepal’s effort to sustain the quality of roads and help the Government of Nepal address long-term maintenance needs.
Mr. Shiva Hari Sapkota, Director General at DoR was joined by Mr. Khadga Bahadur Bisht, Executive Director at MCA-Nepal and Mr. Jonathan Brooks, Deputy Vice-President of Europe, Asia, Pacific and Latin America at MCC, for the inauguration of the labs. These labs include an Asphalt Mix Design Lab, Superpave Asphalt Lab, Storage Lab and Saw Cutting and Core Drilling Equipment Lab which will play a crucial role in the compact’s $52.3 million Road Maintenance Project.
The laboratory and equipment are important components of the technical cooperation in the Road
Maintenance Project (RMP) under the Millennium Challenge Compact signed between Government of
Nepal and Millennium Challenge Corporation on September 14, 2017.
MCA-Nepal will provide the DoR with Technical Assistance of about USD 3.65 million. The Technical Assistance will also support DoR in traffic and road deflection measurement campaign, technical trainings on new road construction technologies and contribute to improved project management activities.
The combined value of laboratory equipment, including Superpave Asphalt Mix Design, Full Depth
Reclamation and Falling Weight Deflectometer, is about USD 1.36 million, and the construction cost of the lab buildings is approximately USD 60 thousand. The DoR will use laboratory equipment for Road Maintenance Project related activities, including regular trainings for DoR technicians.
