Based on the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On measures to implement the project “Reconstruction of the A380 Guzar – Bukhara – Nukus – Beyneu highway on section 964-1204 km (240 km)” with the participation of the Asian Development Bank”, a new road with a cement concrete pavement 240 km long was built on the international highway A380 Guzar – Bukhara – Nukus – Beyneu, passing through the territory of Kungrad district of the Republic of Karakalpakstan. This road is a strategic highway that connects Uzbekistan with European countries.

The Head of the Information Service of the Committee for Roads, Nilufar Jumayeva, reported this at a briefing at the AIMC.

Construction work was carried out in 2020-2024. The total cost of the project is $383.4 million. Of these, the Asian Development Bank’s loan funds amount to $274.9 million, and the Republic of Uzbekistan’s share is $108.5 million. Responsibility for constructing a 120-kilometer section of this highway (964-1084 km) was assigned to the Turkish company Polatyol Yapı San. ve Tic. A.Ş. and the Azerbaijani joint venture North West Construction. A Cooperation Agreement worth $107.6 million was signed with these companies. 

A Cooperation Agreement worth $103.8 million was signed with the Chinese joint ventures China Road and Bridge Corporation, China Communications Construction Company Third Highway Engineering, and Sanmenxia City Changtong Road and Bridge Construction to construct the remaining 120 km (1084-1204 km).

One of the project’s main goals is to improve the quality of international and national highways in accordance with the requirements of existing standards and models. At the same time, the capacity of the road under the project will be increased, and the costs of maintenance and operation will be saved 2.5 times.

The volume of international and transit freight traffic, including passenger traffic, will increase several times, and the number of fatal road accidents on the reconstructed section will be reduced by 2 times. In the project part, the time spent on the road will be saved by 2.2 times, and GDP growth by region will be achieved, minimizing the negative impact of the road on the environment.

Now, the distance of international transportation across Uzbekistan’s territory will be reduced to 1,000 kilometers, and transportation costs will be reduced by 25 percent. This road will become part of the logistics network that reliably connects Uzbekistan with European markets through the Caspian and Black Seas ports.

According to calculations, more than 200 trade and service facilities and industrial enterprises will appear along the new road. This will create 2,000 jobs at first and another 5,000 in the future. Thus, it is planned to develop a solid foundation for increasing the volume of transit and other services in Karakalpakstan by $200 million per year and the volume of exports by at least $300 million.

Mukhayyo Toshqorayeva, UzA