 Anzob Tunnel South Entrance, 2015 | |
| Operation | |
|---|---|
| Opened | 1 March 2005 |
| Technical | |
| Length | 5,040 m (3.13 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 2,720 m (8,920 ft) |
| Lowest elevation | 2,670 m (8,760 ft) |
The Anzob Tunnel, Istiqlol Tunnel, or Ushtur Tunnel is a 5,040-metre-long (16,540 ft) tunnel located 80 km (50 mi) northwest of Tajikistan's capital Dushanbe, at an elevation of 2,720 m (8,920 ft). The tunnel is part of the M34 highway and connects the Tajik capital to the country's second largest city, Khujand. The tunnel was opened in 2006 despite being only partially finished.[citation needed] In 2014 Iran's government signed an agreement to finish the tunnel and the tunnel was reopened in late 2015. The tunnel saves drivers at least 4 hours when traveling between Dushanbe and Khujand and allows travelers to avoid having to pass through Uzbekistan.