Kazakhstan’s road network needs extensive repairs.
Kazakhstan needs road repairs – image courtesy of © Woravit Vijitpanya, Dreamstime.com
Kazakhstan’s road network is in serious need of repairs. A recent study suggests that around 3,300km of roads in the country are in need of major improvement works.
Local roads are in a particularly poor condition, with 54% needing upgrades and maintenance works. Meanwhile, 24% of regional roads need improvements and 22% of national roads require repairs. Around 1,100km of Kazakhstan’s roads are so seriously damaged they require major rebuilding works.
There is also a need to construct around 1,000km of road connections and 86km of access roads. Building new roads in Kazakhstan will aid tourism as well as transport and trade in the country.
This development follows soon after a loan worth US$240 million was secured from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for a 204km road rebuilding and maintenance project in the country. The loan will help pay for work to the road connecting Jezkazgan (also known as Zhezgazan) and Kyzylorda, in the south of the country. In addition, there are plans for a bypass measuring around 15km to be constructed around Kyzylorda.
The work will improve transport within the country, as well as providing an improved international link to Kazakhstan's southern border.
