The proverb says that the road towards development goes through road development. It is why, throughout the PDES (Program for social and economic development) that was inspired by the President of Mali, his Excellency Amadou Toumani TOURE, we particularly focus on transport substructures. These dynamics were initiated in 2002, and we forecast in the five following years the realization of 2 900 miles of roads for about 766 billion FCFA. The building-up of six bridges is also planned. The most noticeable piece of art is likely to be the third bridge of Bamako which will be inaugurated on the 50th anniversary of the Independence of Mali, in 2010.

Along with that, The Head of State also launched in March the second phase of the sectional project of transports. It represents a global cost of 53 billion FCFA, including 8 billion from the government of Mali, that is 15% of the World Bank, 44 billion of our francs, that is 85%. The current project also includes the improvement of the access to rural areas, of the urban transport system of Bamako and the rehabilitation or construction of fluvial quays in certain places along the Niger. This project will last from 2007 to 2011.

Because of the importance of all efforts made as regards the building up of substructures, almost 14 billion FCFA will be put at the disposal, this year, of the Program of Road maintenance. Moreover, the government launched operations of tollgates and weighing gates in certain roads. The target was to make drivers contribute to the maintenance of our roads, that are experiencing more and more traffic.
Those spots are financed by the EU, who is bringing its support to the Government in its efforts of road maintenance. The creation of 18 tollgates in the whole country is planned before 2012.
These measures must not lead us to overlook road safety, which is a major issue for the highest authorities of Mali.
Police forces have registered a rise of 14% of the deaths between 2005 and 2006 (542 to 642 dead people on the road) and of 18% for the injured (6 634 to 7 830). In January 2008,
1 809 offences were registered. To cope with that plague, the Government created an autonomous structure names the ANASER (National Department dedicated to Road Safety).

As regards railroad transportation, the renewal of the equipment, with the purchase of six locomotives and thirty-eight wagons, alongside the modernization of our railroad, will help reinforce the competitiveness of the South-East of Mali and its huge agricultural and mining potential. The traffic of people has started again in 2007 after several years of interruption, thus fulfilling a presidential promise for the great happiness of the inhabitants.

Air transport will be facilitated by the program of rehabilitation and extension of the airport of Bamako Senou within the Millennium Challenge Account and the project of Support to Sources of Growth. More than 50 billion FCFA will be invested so that Bamako is turned into a genuine sub regional hub. When done, the substructure will be able to welcome
1.5 million passengers per year (528 000 in 2006).