BAKU, Trend, August 3. Kazakhstan has launched the project to construct the Beineu-Saksaulsk highway with a total length of 800 kilometers, which is expected to become a transport link connecting China and Europe, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced during a teleconference marking the start of construction works.
According to the press service of Kazakh president, Tokayev said the new highway will serve not only domestic connectivity but also enhance Kazakhstan’s role in international transportation. "Strengthening connections within Kazakhstan, the road will also become a ‘golden bridge’ between China and Europe. The project will directly connect China’s border checkpoints with the ports of Aktau and Kuryk," Tokayev said.
According to the President, the new route will help reduce the length of cargo transportation from China to Europe by 1,000 kilometers and shorten delivery times to three days. "The Beineu-Saksaulsk highway will undoubtedly acquire the status of a key transport artery of national, regional and transcontinental importance. That is why the name ‘Aral-Caspian Highway’ is the most suitable for this route," Tokayev said.
He noted that alongside the new highway project, Kazakhstan will begin expanding capacity and carrying out comprehensive reconstruction of the Kyzylorda-Saksaulsk and Ulgaysyn-Saksaulsk highways, with a combined length of 774 kilometers.
According to Tokayev, the projects will involve domestic companies and create more than 10,000 jobs. "After the highways are launched, cargo flows will increase 2.5 times and reach 13.2 million tons annually," the President said.
He emphasized that the projects are part of Kazakhstan’s broader efforts to develop transport infrastructure and strengthen its position in Eurasian logistics networks. "The main goal is to turn our country into one of the leading logistics hubs connecting Europe and Asia," Tokayev said.
The President added that Kazakhstan’s transport development strategy focuses not only on building roads but also on creating a modern digital transport ecosystem. "Therefore, the important task is not simply to build roads, but to create a modern digital ecosystem," he noted.
Tokayev said the projects would expand Kazakhstan’s transit potential and integrate previously underdeveloped routes into major Eurasian transport corridors. "It is fundamentally important to complete all projects launched today within the established deadlines - no later than 2029. All necessary conditions have been created. Now it is time to move to implementation," the President said.
