Tashkent–Samarkand and Tashkent–Andijan toll roads slated for 2026

The construction of toll roads connecting Tashkent with Samarkand and Andijan is scheduled to begin in 2026, according to the financial strategy released by the Ministry of Economy and Finance for the period 2026–2028.

Implementation of these projects is planned for next year, marking a major step toward building paid highways along the Tashkent–Samarkand and Tashkent–Andijan routes.

The Ministry of Economy and Finance also intends to repair and expand major highways using funds from international financial institutions. The goal is to increase the capacity and safety of existing roads by incorporating international best practices.

In July, Minister of Transport Ilhom Mahkamov stated during a “Government Hour” session in the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis that the first stage of the Tashkent–Andijan toll road project is expected to conclude with the tender process and the launch of construction activities within this year.

In addition, the signing of an agreement with potential investors for the construction of the Tashkent–Samarkand toll road is planned for 2025.

In January, the Ministry of Transport announced a tender for the first phase of the Tashkent–Andijan toll highway project. The deadline for submission of request for qualifications (RFQ) documents was extended twice, ultimately closing on 21 June.

The idea of a toll highway between Tashkent and Andijan has been under discussion since 2019. A new tunnel through the Kamchik Pass is expected to be part of the project. The Public–Private Partnership Development Agency previously estimated the toll cost at $5–6. The highway is to be built in three phases over six years: Tashkent–Angren (78 km), Angren–Pop (93 km), and Pop–Andijan (143 km).

With the involvement of the World Bank, a project plan for the Tashkent–Andijan road was developed, and an international tender was launched in January. Within a short time, more than 30 major foreign companies expressed interest in the project. The total length of the planned expressway is 314 km. Once operational, the new highway is expected to cut travel time between Tashkent and Andijan from five to three hours, boost GDP by 2.6%, and reduce traffic accidents by 40%.

In August 2024, the president approved a set of measures for developing public–private partnerships (PPP) through 2030. According to the national PPP development program, toll roads connecting Tashkent with Samarkand and Andijan are to be built. The preliminary cost of the two projects is estimated at $2.2 billion and $4.28 billion, respectively.