China to build US$2.185 billion toll road between Tashkent and Samarkand

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A Chinese company has won a tender to build a toll highway between Tashkent and Samarkand worth US$2.185 billion. Construction work is expected to begin in July this year, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Transport Ilkhom Makhkamov said following a presentation to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on major infrastructure projects.

“We have completed organizational and final preparations, selected the contractor, and announced readiness to begin construction in July this year,” the minister said. The EPC contract with the contractor is expected to be signed in June. The name of the winning company has not yet been disclosed as negotiations on contract terms are ongoing.

Project parameters

The new 282-kilometer highway will connect Tashkent, Syrdarya, Jizzakh and Samarkand regions. The road will be classified as category I-a and will feature three lanes in each direction with cement-concrete pavement and a design speed of 150 km/h. The starting point of the route is the Tashkent ring road in the Sergeli district.

The project includes construction of 12 interchanges, 91 bridges, 60 tunnel crossings, 16 overpasses and 258 drainage structures. It also предусматривает the creation of 12 terminals, roadside infrastructure facilities, a weigh-in-motion system and an intelligent transport system.

According to Makhkamov, the existing road between the two cities is already operating beyond its capacity. The new highway is expected to reduce travel time to Samarkand by 2–2.5 times.

Financing and implementation stages

Chairman of the National Bank of Uzbekistan Alisher Mirsoatov said the project will be implemented in four stages. The financing structure, according to head of the transport and logistics project office of the Presidential Administration Otabek Ungbaev, includes 85% from foreign lenders (US$1.857 billion) and 15% from the state budget (US$328 million).

Three Chinese banks are expected to participate in financing: the China Development Bank, the Export-Import Bank of China, and the Bank of Communications. The National Bank has been instructed to negotiate with these institutions. A bridge loan of US$200 million for one year is also being considered to ensure uninterrupted construction.

President Mirziyoyev instructed authorities to involve an independent international company for technical supervision and quality control, as well as for expert review of design solutions. Regional administrations were also tasked with coordinating road boundaries and preparing proposals for structures subject to demolition.

The government is also considering phased commissioning of the highway, starting with the Tashkent–Syrdarya section. Toll rates will be set following negotiations with investors, taking into account public affordability.