The Louis Berger Group (LBG) was awarded the REFS (Rehabilitation of Economic
Facilities and Services) contract by USAID (United States Agency for International
Development) in September 2002. Its goal is to promote Afghan economic recovery and
political stability through the repair and development of important physical and
social infrastructure throughout the country.
Key elements of the REFS program include:
- The repair and replacement of roads and bridges to improve transportation
- The provision of water for drinking, sanitation, and irrigation needs
- The restoration of electrical transmission and distribution systems
- The repair and construction of schools, clinics, and government facilities
LBG is providing engineering, design, construction management, and other services to
implement the REFS program. Under the contract USAID/Afghanistan assigns
infrastructure projects to LBG for design, public contracting, and final acceptance.
The largest individual project assigned to date, and a major REFS focus, is
reconstruction of the Kabul-Kandahar-Herat highway, a key link in the ring road system
connecting major cities in the country. LBG is also working on the construction and
rehabilitation of schools and clinics, and on various irrigation, dam, and bridge
projects. Louis Berger’s main office in Afghanistan is in Kabul, with field offices in
Ghazni and Kandahar that provide support for the Kabul-Kandahar-Herat highway
reconstruction.
