Kaktus.media conducted an analysis to determine the cost of reconstructing and building one kilometer of the main roads in Kyrgyzstan, as well as to identify who financed and implemented these projects.
Road Network of Kyrgyzstan
According to information from the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the total length of roads in the country is approximately 34,000 kilometers, of which 19,016 km are public roads. The majority of the road network is of local significance.This figure has remained unchanged for many years. In 2017, Elmira Ibraimova, while serving as the chairwoman of the Accounts Chamber, noted that the cost of creating one kilometer of road varies from $0.7 to $3.1 million.
The Chinese Exim Bank fully financed two phases of the construction of the alternative North-South road, as well as the main works on the Bishkek-Naryn-Torugart road and the repair of 124 km of the Osh-Batken-Isfana road.
The most significant road projects in the country were carried out by only eight contractors. Local companies were not involved in the implementation of projects financed by international financial institutions.
To reduce traffic congestion and develop alternative routes around the capital, the Ministry of Transport and Communications is developing a plan to expand the roads. Currently, reconstruction is underway on the Lebedinovka – HPP 5, Bishkek – Kant, and Bishkek – Kuntuu – Shopokov sections.
Additionally, roads from Balakchi – Bokonbaev – Karakol, Naryn – Bayetov, and Ala-Buka – Zhany-Bazar – Kirovka are being constructed with state budget funds. As part of additional works on the alternative North-South road, the construction of new facilities continues. Among the current investment projects, the Ministry of Transport highlights the construction of a 748-meter tunnel on the Suusamyr – Talas – Taraz highways and the reconstruction of the Korumdu – Balbay-Baatyr and Barskoon – Karakol roads.
This year, several major roads were also opened and put into operation: Uzgen – Myrza-Ake – Kara-Kuldja, Osh – Batken – Razzakov, Tyup – Kegen, and the central street of Cholpon-Ata.
“To attract tourists to Kyrgyzstan, repairs are being made to the roads leading to popular tourist destinations. In particular, roads to the Char-Kuduk pasture along the route Karkyra – Turuk – Sary-Jaz, the ski base 'Karakol', the walnut forest of Arstanbap, Lake Sary-Chelek, and the resorts on the shores of Issyk-Kul have been repaired. Currently, work is ongoing to construct roads to the ski base 'Ala-Tuu Resort' and the Kychyn pasture,” the Ministry of Transport reported.
