New Roads, Old Danger

A ring road covering more than 1,500 miles in Afghanistan has eased shipping in the country, but traveling along the new pavement is still dangerous.

1 minute read

March 19, 2008, 5:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg


"From the air, Afghanistan's 'Ring Road' - a vast beltway that links the country's provinces - looks like a U.S. freeway."

"But on the ground, Afghan drivers say the road, and other highways like it, are more like the Wild West."

"Foreign and Afghan companies have built or paved more than 1,500 miles of roads in the past five years, but a growing number of Afghans say traveling these roads is hazardous. Motorists are threatened by the Taliban and roadside bombs. They're also prey for police officers collecting illegal tolls and for bandits seeking hostages."

Sunday, March 16, 2008 in NPR

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