Major Chinese investors show interest in Tashkent – Samarkand toll road project

The update was provided by Asliddin Isaev, deputy director of Avtoyulinvest under the Roads Committee of the Ministry of Transport, in an interview with the Uzbekistan24 TV channel.

Project draws interest from major Chinese investors

According to Isaev, negotiations with large investor companies have already been completed, and discussions are currently underway on the key financing conditions before final agreements are signed.

“Negotiations with major investor companies on the project have been completed. We are now conducting pre-contract discussions on the main financing terms. Practical construction work is expected to begin soon. Large Chinese investors have shown interest in the project – including companies that are among the world’s top 100,” he said.

Road to begin in Sergeli and run parallel to existing route

The toll highway will begin at the Tashkent Ring Road in the Sergeli district and end in the Samarkand region. The route will be built parallel to the existing road between the two cities.

Traffic on the current Tashkent – Samarkand road ranges from 55,000 to 60,000 vehicles per day. Authorities expect the new toll road to significantly reduce travel time between the capital and Samarkand.

The highway will include 12 entry and exit points and will be fully digitized. It will also be equipped with intelligent transport systems operating around the clock.

Possible phased opening of the highway

Although the full construction period is expected to take five years, authorities are considering opening the road gradually as individual sections are completed.

“According to our studies, the highest traffic flow is observed on the section from Tashkent to Syrdarya. During negotiations with investors, the possibility of launching the road in stages will also be considered – meaning that separate sections could be opened for operation earlier,” Isaev said.

Project cost and engineering details

According to the approved feasibility study, the total construction cost of the project is estimated at $2.25 billion.

Engineering work will include:

• soil reinforcement on 140 km of the route
• reinforcement with stone aggregate columns on 7.2 km
• replacement of weak soil with a sand and gravel mixture on 132.8 km

The project will also involve the construction of:

• 12 transport interchanges
• 60 tunnel crossings
• 91 bridges
• 16 overpasses
• 258 drainage structures

 Technical specifications of the toll road

 Key technical parameters of the planned highway include:

• Type of construction – entirely new construction
• Length – 282 km
• Road category – motorway (Category I-a) with six lanes
• Construction period – five years
• Road surface – cement concrete
• Design speed – 150 km/h
• Expected traffic volume – about 50,000 vehicles per day
• Toll collection points – 12
• Roadside service areas – six complexes on both sides of the road
• Axle load limit – 13 tons
• Lane width – 3.75 meters
• Weigh-in-motion system – WIM dynamic vehicle weighing technology

Officials say the final toll rates will be determined after the completion of negotiations with investors. The pricing structure is expected to take into account the financial capacity of the population.

A new toll highway connecting Tashkent and Samarkand is expected to begin in the Sergeli district of the capital and reduce travel time between the two cities to about 2–2.5 hours. The project has attracted interest from major Chinese investors and may be opened in stages before construction is fully completed.