Uzbekistan expands key highway along China – Europe freight route

Freight operators report faster journeys and lower transport costs thanks to infrastructure improvements that are strengthening regional trade links. However, border delays remain a major obstacle, underscoring the need for further investment to improve cross-border procedures.

A major highway in Central Asia is being expanded to improve freight transport along a trade corridor connecting China with markets farther west, including Europe.

In the Republic of Karakalpakstan, northwestern Uzbekistan, a 25-kilometer section of the A380 highway linking Nukus and Urgench is being widened from two to four lanes. Construction is about 90 percent complete, with work expected to finish by the end of 2026.

Farther northwest, a separate 240-kilometer section of the same highway, stretching from Kungrad toward the border with Kazakhstan, was completed in 2024. Transport operators say the improvements have significantly reduced travel times and vehicle maintenance costs.

“We export products to Türkiye, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and other countries through Karakalpakstan”, said Damir Mamutov, Director General of the transport company Promizvest Servis. “Previously, trucks needed at least 10-12 hours to cover the 240-250 kilometers between Kungrad and Beineu. The roads were in poor condition. Now trucks can complete the journey in three to four hours”.

Mr. Mamutov, whose company has been operating in international freight transport for around 15 years, said trucks previously needed tire and suspension repairs after just one or two trips. Since the highway was reconstructed, such problems have become less frequent, helping to reduce maintenance costs.

Highway expansion to increase traffic capacity

The ongoing $48.7 million project to reconstruct a 25-kilometer section of the highway constitutes part of a broader program supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). According to Bakhodir Boltaboyev, Deputy Director of the ADB Project Implementation Unit, approximately three kilometers of concrete road pavement and work on one overpass remain to be completed.

The project also comprises dedicated U-turn overpasses, allowing vehicles to change direction without crossing into oncoming traffic lanes.

“Previously, around 6,000-7,000 vehicles used this road every day”, Mr. Boltaboyev told Euronews. “Once the reconstruction is completed, that number is expected to rise to 14,000-15,000”.

$383 million investment in regional transport infrastructure

The wider road improvement program has a budget of $383.4 million, comprising $274.2 million in loans from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and $109.2 million in funding from the Government of Uzbekistan.

The A380 highway forms part of Corridor 2 of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program, which brings together 11 countries to improve transport infrastructure, facilitate trade and strengthen economic cooperation.

According to Begzod Jalilov, Regional Cooperation Specialist at ADB, developing economic corridors also requires investment in sectors such as tourism, agriculture and services to create jobs, raise local incomes and expand export opportunities.

Border crossings remain a challenge

Despite improvements to the road network, customs procedures and delays at international borders can still slow freight transport.

“Alongside investments in physical infrastructure, we are also working to modernize border crossing points”, Mr. Jalilov said.

He also outlined measures to digitize procedures and introduce electronic queuing systems for trucks.

In August 2026, ADB approved a separate $400 million regional financing facility known as Border Upgrades for Integration, Logistics, and Development (BUILD) to modernize road and rail border crossings across the CAREC region by improving digital systems, inspection equipment and border management.

G. Khonnazarov, UzA