Uzbekistan's Transport Minister Ilkhom Makhkamov informed President Shavkat Mirziyoyev about the completion of a presentation on major infrastructure projects. According to him, construction of the Tashkent-Samarkand toll road is planned to begin in July of this year.
The minister spoke of two 'largest, historic' projects — a new toll road connecting Tashkent and Samarkand, and the construction of a new Tashkent International Airport. 'We have completed organizational and final work, identified contractors, and announced our readiness to start construction in July this year,' Makhkamov said. An EPC contract is expected to be signed in June.
Makhkamov noted that the president instructed to involve an international company to oversee the project. 'The esteemed president gave a separate instruction to attract an international company for technical supervision and quality control of construction, as well as for expert examination of design solutions,' he stated.
The length of the Tashkent-Samarkand toll road will be 282 km (including 108 km through Jizzakh region and 47 km through Samarkand region). According to the minister, the existing road between the two cities carries more traffic than its capacity. 'The new project will eliminate traffic jams and allow people to reach Samarkand or other destinations 2-2.5 times faster,' Makhkamov said.
The minister also announced that the contractor has been selected. 'We held a long tender, and based on the selection results, a Chinese company has been identified. Negotiations are underway to conclude contracts and start construction work,' he said, without disclosing the winner's name.
Chairman of the National Bank of Uzbekistan Alisher Mirsoatov stated that the project cost is $2.185 billion. The project is planned to be implemented in four stages. The president instructed the National Bank to 'ensure project financing if necessary.'
'Several Chinese banks will be involved in financing the project: China Development Bank, Export-Import Bank of China, and Bank of Communications,' Mirsoatov said. He added that the bank has been tasked with working with these financial institutions and attracting them to finance the project.
According to the transport minister, a bridge loan of $200 million for one year may be attracted to ensure continuity of construction work.
Head of the Project Office for Transport and Logistics Development under the Presidential Administration Otabek Ungboyev said that three transport-related issues were considered at the presentation. 'We presented information to the esteemed president on three issues, and the corresponding draft decisions were approved,' he said.
Ungboyev clarified the financing structure of the toll road: 'The construction of the Tashkent-Samarkand toll road is valued at $2 billion 185 million. Of this amount, 85% is financed through foreign funds (Chinese banks — $1.857 billion), and 15% from the budget of Uzbekistan ($328 million).'
It was previously reported that the Tashkent-Samarkand toll road was estimated at $2.25 billion. It will start from the Tashkent Ring Road in the Sergeli district. The government is considering the possibility of phased commissioning, starting with the Tashkent-Syrdarya section. Tariffs will be set after negotiations with investors, taking into account the financial capabilities of the population.
The road will be category I-a, with cement-concrete pavement and three lanes in each direction. The design speed is 150 km/h. The project includes the construction of 12 interchanges, 60 tunnel passages, 91 bridges, 16 overpasses, and 258 drainage structures, as well as the introduction of an intelligent transport system.
Source: www.gazeta.uz