Reconstructing a dusty stretch of road in Afghanistan has become a dangerous project for Canadian troops, who find themselves an easy target for the Taliban.

Six Canadian soldiers have died near the road in the past few weeks. Nicknamed "Ambush Alley," it's located in a volatile area near Pashmul, roughly 25 kilometres west of Kandahar.

Insurgents commonly attack around midday, using the position of the sun to their advantage.

"They're very smart. They understand the employment of our weapons systems," Capt. Piers Pappin told CTV News, as troops fired warning shots over a man passing close to the construction site.

"They know that as the sun sets behind them it impedes our optics."

Canadian forces are building the road to serve as a safer route between the Panjwaii district and Kandahar-bound Highway 1.

The new road cuts through fields punctuated with marijuana plants, where the Taliban frequently hide a cache of weapons.

Sgt. Darcy Tedford and Pte. Blake Williamson were guarding the construction project this past weekend, when they were killed in a rocket-propelled grenade attack.

Their remains were returned to Canada Monday night, in a sombre repatriation ceremony at Ontario's CFB Trenton.

Sgt. Craig Paul Gillam and Cpl. Robert Thomas James Mitchell died on Oct. 3, while also providing security for the project. And Trooper Mark Andrew Wilson was killed four days later in a road-side blast. Wilson was buried Monday in London, Ont.

One soldier said building the road is risky because it gives the Taliban a large target in which to attack coalition forces.

"They can come at any time of the day in order to find Canadians to fire at, and that's what makes it so dangerous," said Maj. Steve Brown. "We're tied to a piece of terrain, essentially."

But troops are aware that completing the project could ultimately save lives, by ensuring troops have a safe passage through the region.

"It's hot and it's lousy work, but in the end, if it saves even one life ... it was all worthwhile," said a sergeant who went be the name of "Randy."

The road will also be a lasting reminder of Canada's efforts to bring stability to Afghanistan, long after the mission ends.

"We're giving ourselves mobility -- reliable mobility once there's asphalt on it -- and technically, we're providing something that can be used by civilians after the fact," said Brown.

A total of 42 Canadian soldiers and one diplomat have been killed in Afghanistan since 2002. Currently, about 2,300 Canadian troops are based in southern Afghanistan.

With a report by CTV's Paul Workman and files from The Canadian Press