BAKU, Azerbaijan, Dec. 21
By Klavdiya Romakayeva - Trend:
Uzbekistan Railways JSC revealed details of the project for the construction of a new road-railway bridge across the Amu Darya and the Shavat - Gurlen - Jumurtau - Kipchak railway, Trend reports referring to the press service of Uzbekistan Railways JSC.
According to the information, the Amu Darya region in Karakalpakstan Republic is cut off from other regions of Uzbekistan and does not have direct access to the railway networks of Uzbekistan, and the use of road transport is limited due to the use of a pontoon bridge for crossing the Amu Darya, which is in emergency condition.
During the visit of the president of Uzbekistan to Karakalpakstan in August 2020, a proposal was approved for the construction of a new Shavat - Gurlen - Jumurtau – Kipchak road-railway bridge.
It was noted that the construction of the new bridge will reduce the distance of transportation of goods from Russia and Kazakhstan by 240 kilometers, and the time of transportation of goods by six hours. Thus, the volume of cargo transportation will double and reach 25 million tons per year, the economic effect of 100 billion soums ($9.6 million) per year will increase as the above regions of Uzbekistan develop.
In addition, the cost of delivering inert materials to the Khorezm region from Karakalpakstan Republic will be reduced, which will reduce the cost of building facilities and infrastructure.
Uzbekistan Railways has developed four options for project implementation, taking into account the minimum dimensions of the river width at the bridge construction site, the number of artificial structures, the number and type of demolished objects, as well as the transfer of communications.
Furthermore, the best option has been chosen, according to which the total length of the new combined (rail and road) bridge amounts to 413 meters, height - 11.25 meters, width - 8.5 meters. The estimated length of the railway from Shavat station to Kipchak station amounts 79 kilometers.
The project is being implemented at the expense of Uzbekistan Railways’ own funds and attracted credit resources. The construction of the bridge will be carried out by the Kuprikkurilish Trust Unitary Enterprise, which is part of the Uzbekistan Railways. Currently, this enterprise is the largest of its kind in Uzbekistan and has significant experience in the construction of railway and road bridges and overpasses.
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