A new alternative toll highway spanning 171 km is planned for the Tashkent-Angren-Qamchiq Pass route. In an interview with the "Uzbekistan 24" TV channel, Asliddin Isayev, Deputy Director of the "Avtoyolinvest" agency under the Committee of Automobile Roads of the Ministry of Transport, announced that the project is estimated at $3.66 billion. This initiative is considered one of the country's largest strategic infrastructure projects, with a total length of 314 kilometers.
The first phase will involve constructing a 171-km road through the Qamchiq Pass, including 33 km of new tunnels. Isayev stated that this tunnel could become one of the largest in Central Asia, featuring four lanes and designed for speeds of 120–150 km/h. Currently, travel time between Tashkent and the Fergana Valley takes 5–5.5 hours, but it is expected to be reduced to 2–2.5 hours upon completion of the highway.
The project is being implemented with support from the World Bank, and the international consulting company Arup has been engaged for design and tender processes. Isayev noted that tender processes are nearing completion, with practical work scheduled to begin this year. Major investment companies from France, Turkey, and China have also expressed interest in the project.
A key objective of building the new route is to enhance road safety. Isayev emphasized that the project aims to improve traffic safety, ensuring the road remains fully operational even in adverse weather conditions like rain or snow. Annual revenue from tolls is projected to be around $465 million, potentially allowing the project to pay for itself within approximately 8 years.
According to Deputy Transport Minister Jasurbek Choriyev, the construction of the Tashkent-Andijan toll road will take 6 years and 3 months. 64% of the road will be newly built, while 36% will be reconstructed. The Category I road, stretching 314 km, will consist of six lanes. The project is being carried out in three phases: the first phase covers Tashkent-Angren (78 km), the second Angren-Pop (93 km), and the third Pop-Andijan (143 km). The section between Angren and Pop district is considered the most challenging due to terrain, and the project is being implemented as a public-private partnership.
Source: www.gazeta.uz