Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev officially inaugurated Saturday a new bridge constructed at the crossroads of the Ziya Bunyadov and Azadlig avenues in Baku.

The cost of the 653m long bridge project is 22.1 million manats.

President Ilham Aliyev highly praised the look of the bridge and its lighting system, describing them as modern and beautiful.

He cut the ribbon symbolizing the official opening of the bridge.

The President also viewed construction work continuing at a tunnel near the bridge.

The construction of the tunnel, whose length will be 300 meters, is scheduled to end in 2008.

The President then arrived at the crossroads of the Rashid Behbudov and Mahammad Fuzuli streets to inaugurate a newly constructed underground passage.

Ilham Aliyev cut the ribbon symbolizing the official opening of the passage.

The length of the passage constructed by Akkord company is 36 meters, while the width 17 meters.

The passage has four exits and eight escalators.

The President then took a walk to the Heydar Aliyev Park, where he paid tribute to Azerbaijan`s nationwide leader in front of his monument.

Afterwards, Ilham Aliyev opened another underground passage at the crossroads of the Bulbul avenue and Nizami street.

The passage was constructed by Iranian Saaco company, and has two exits and four escalators.

The passage is 45 meters in length and 8 meters in width.

President Aliyev cut the ribbon symbolizing the official opening of the underground passage, and praised its look, saying it meets highest world standards.