Road Committee Chairman: "There must always be a free alternative to toll roads"

In an interview with Gazeta.uz, Tursunov underscored that any introduction of toll roads must be accompanied by a free alternative for road users. He pointed out that on the Tashkent-Bostanlyk route, two free roads already exist, which creates room for the implementation of a toll road.

However, he noted that the proposal to introduce tolls on this highway requires further evaluation, especially considering the current traffic load on the route. Tursunov mentioned that the Onur Group, a Turkish company, is exploring the possibility of reconstructing the road based on a public-private partnership (PPP) model, which could involve creating a toll system. Nevertheless, the project is still under discussion, and no final decision has been made by the government.

Tursunov also called on the media to provide accurate information and avoid drawing premature conclusions about the toll road until all negotiations are finalized and the project is approved.

Additionally, the chairman revealed that there are two to three more toll road projects currently in development, though they have not yet been officially announced. These likely refer to long-discussed toll road projects connecting Tashkent-Samarkand, Tashkent-Andijan, and Samarkand-Bukhara.

On September 25, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced plans for the construction of toll roads from Tashkent to Samarkand and Tashkent to Andijan. Construction on the Tashkent-Samarkand toll road is expected to begin in 2024, with a $2.2 billion estimated cost. A tender will be held by the end of the year to select the best proposal, followed by the signing of a PPP agreement.

Meanwhile, a toll road connecting Tashkent to Andijan, spanning 303 kilometers, is also in the works, supported by the World Bank. The project concept is slated for approval in October 2024, with the tender process in 2025 and an agreement expected to be finalized in 2026. The preliminary cost for this road is estimated at $4.28 billion.