BAKU, Trend, August 3. Kazakhstan has launched construction of the Kyzylorda-Saksaulsk, Ulgaysyn-Saksaulsk and Beineu-Saksaulsk highways, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said during a teleconference dedicated to the start of the projects.
"Today, we are launching the construction of major projects that have special strategic importance for our country. The transport and logistics sector is a powerful driver of Kazakhstan’s economic growth, as our country is located at the crossroads of the most important routes," Tokayev said, according to the Kazakh presidential press service.
The President noted that Kazakhstan aims to strengthen its role as a key transit hub between Europe and Asia, emphasizing the importance of developing modern transport infrastructure. "Roads are the arteries of life. The state has always given priority attention to the development of this sector. Our goal is to strengthen Kazakhstan’s status as a key transit hub of Eurasia. I have repeatedly spoken about this. As is known, our country serves as the main bridge connecting Europe and Asia," he said.
Tokayev highlighted the progress made in railway infrastructure, including the launch of the second line of the Dostyk-Moyynty railway, which increased cargo transportation capacity fivefold, as well as the railway line bypassing Almaty, which reduced cargo delivery times. "The most important thing is that such large-scale projects are being implemented by domestic specialists," the President said.
According to Tokayev, Kazakhstan continues to expand its transport capabilities, with significant growth recorded in cargo transportation. "Last year, the total volume of transportation in the country increased by 6% and amounted to about 37 million tons," he said.
The President noted that road infrastructure modernization remains a key priority for Kazakhstan. He pointed to major highways that have already been upgraded, including Western Europe-Western China, Karaganda-Almaty, Center-South, Atyrau-Astrakhan, Taldykorgan-Ust-Kamenogorsk and Kalbatau-Maykapchagay. "Over the past five years, the volume of road freight transportation has doubled. Last year, revenues from this type of service reached 1.5 trillion tenge," Tokayev said.
He added that eight international transport corridors pass through Kazakhstan, with around 35,000 vehicles using these routes daily. "Last year, 13,000 kilometers of roads were built and repaired, 6,000 of them were commissioned," the President said.
Tokayev also noted that comprehensive modernization of road border checkpoints is planned for 2027. "This large-scale work will be carried out for the first time in the years of independence of our country," he said.
The President added that road construction and repair projects are currently being implemented across all regions of Kazakhstan. "Recently, construction began on the Saryagash bypass road and modernization of the Zhezkazgan-Karaganda highway. At the same time, housing, education and healthcare facilities, engineering networks and other social infrastructure facilities are being built throughout the country," Tokayev said.
