Astana, Kazakhstan, Oct. 22
By Daniar Mukhtarov - Trend:
Iranian and Turkish companies are taking part in the construction of the first tunnel road in Kazakhstan, the Kazakh Investment and Development Ministry told Trend Oct. 22.
The ministry said that Kazakhstan's first tunnel road will be a part of a four-lane highway called "Shymkent-Zhambyl region border" with a length of approximately 80 kilometers.
The contractors of the first tunnel road are the Dena Rahsaz JV (Iran) and the company Sargin (Turkey).
The works kicked off in Sept. 2013, and should be completed in Sept. 2015.
The 800-meters long tunnel is located in the north-east of the city of Shymkent.
The Investment and Development Ministry said that initially the contractors offered to build 800-meter long tunnel by means of excavation on hills in line with the corresponding standards at no additional cost to the client.
"The client accepted the offer, and all the projects and documentation have been sent to the state examination for approval," the ministry added.
The tunnel will allow avoiding the undesirable situation that occurs in the winter due to ice and snow on 6+ degree steep slope, and will also improve the road safety.
The ministry said the excavation at the tunnel's portals is almost complete and the work on its construction will soon start.
This project is a part of a state program for upgrading the category of the transit corridor running from China to Russia through Almaty, Taraz, Shymkent, Kyzylorda and Aktobe (Western Europe-Western China International Transit Corridor, about 2,787 kilometers).
It is funded by the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and the Islamic Development Bank.
The project is aimed at developing an efficient, affordable and environmentally sustainable transportation system, which will be a part of the route from the north-east to south-west of Kazakhstan.
"Some 34 experts from Iran and 48 local experts are working on the site at the moment," the ministry said.
KazakhVzryvprom JSC was approved as the subcontractor in blasting works within the tunnel's construction.
"The construction is carried out under the supervision of Temelsu (Turkey) in association with Consult Ltd. (Kazakhstan) under the guidance of the consultant on the project management KazDorNII/Sapa SZ LLP NW," the ministry said.
