The Effects of Constructing the Khorramabad-Arak Freeway on Rural Areas with an Emphasis on Sustainable Development Axes

Transportation networks are considered fundamental infrastructures in any country and are significant in terms of economic, social, political, and environmental aspects. Freeways, as one of the vital lifeline infrastructures, can be among the essential elements of civilization and progress for any country, considering their technical and physical conditions and environmental quality. The aim of this research is to investigate the effects of constructing the Khorramabad-Arak freeway on rural areas, with an emphasis on sustainable development goals. The methodology in this research is qualitative (data base theory). The samples were selected purposefully and by snowball method among local residents, workers, consulting engineers and employees in department of Roads and Urban Development. The results of this study indicate that the overall construction of the freeway has had positive economic, social, and institutional effects on neighboring villages. It has led to a reduction in vehicle consumption and fuel consumption, decreased travel distance, increased speed in the transportation of agricultural products, job creation for local people, increased job diversity in the region, enhanced safety, reduced accidents and human casualties, improved accessibility for tourists, and increased supervision by administrative forces in the area. However, in terms of environmental and agricultural aspects, the impacts of this freeway include the emission of fossil fuel gases from machinery, dust and noise pollution from vehicle and machinery activities, waste production around temporary private and labor workshops, changes in land use, deforestation, etc., which are evaluated as negative.