Uzbekistan Commissions Reconstructed Kungrad–Beyneu Highway with President Mirziyoyev Leading Ceremony

Tashkent, The Gulf Observer: In a significant move towards enhancing Uzbekistan’s connectivity with European markets, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev inaugurated a reconstructed 240-kilometer stretch of the Kungrad–Beyneu highway. This strategic route, which facilitates trade across the Caspian and Black Sea ports, received a $323 million overhaul due to years of heavy use and harsh climate conditions in the Aral Sea region.

In his address, President Mirziyoyev highlighted the highway’s importance, underscoring the reduction in international transportation distances within Uzbekistan to 1,000 kilometers and a 25% decrease in associated costs. “This road will reliably connect our country with European markets, increasing traffic on the A-380 corridor through Uzbekistan threefold,” he remarked.

The highway, which now meets international standards, promises improved safety for both passenger and cargo transport. Other sections of the Guzar–Bukhara–Nukus–Beyneu route have also been upgraded, including the new Amudarya bridge opened in February, connecting Karakalpakstan with Khorezm. These enhancements are expected to boost mobility, spur economic activity, and support entrepreneurship across the region.

Economic impact projections for the reconstructed route are optimistic. Over 200 trade, service, and industrial facilities are anticipated along the highway, potentially creating 2,000 jobs initially, with an additional 5,000 jobs in the future. This infrastructure upgrade is projected to increase Karakalpakstan’s transit service revenues by $200 million and exports by $300 million annually.

President Mirziyoyev expressed gratitude to the Asian Development Bank, international contractors, and consultants from Türkiye, Azerbaijan, China, South Korea, and Italy. “Roads and bridges bring people together and ease their burdens,” he said. “In the face of road builders, we see hardworking people earning the nation’s gratitude. May New Uzbekistan’s potential continue to grow.”

Participants across the 240-kilometer route, from Kungrad district to the customs post at “Davud-ota” on the Kazakhstan border, joined the event via teleconference. President Mirziyoyev activated the traffic on the new route, celebrating the achievement with officials and the public.

In alignment with modern infrastructure management, President Mirziyoyev reviewed a new monitoring system for strategic bridges, featuring electronic sensors to ensure bridge strength and quality. The system, already implemented at a Tashkent overpass, will be extended to 114 overpasses in Tashkent and eventually nationwide, promising cost savings and long-term data storage.

Over the past eight years, Uzbekistan has reconstructed 2,000 kilometers of roads and repaired 100,000 kilometers, embracing new concrete technologies for durability. Next year, Uzbekistan plans to collaborate with international partners on ten projects to build an additional 1,000 kilometers of roads.