New China–Europe Route Through Kazakhstan: Tokayev Launches Construction of Three Highways

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev launched the construction of the Kyzylorda–Saksaulsk, Ulgaysyn–Saksaulsk and Beineu–Saksaulsk highways by video link, Orda.kz reports.

According to Akorda, the new highways should strengthen Kazakhstan’s position as one of the main transit hubs between Europe and Asia.

The largest project is the 800-kilometer Beineu–Saksaulsk highway. It is expected to shorten the freight route from China to Europe by around 1,000 kilometers and reduce delivery times to three days.

The Kyzylorda–Saksaulsk and Ulgaysyn–Saksaulsk highways, with a combined length of 774 kilometers, will also be reconstructed.

Tokayev said Kazakhstani companies would be involved in the projects, creating more than 10,000 jobs. Once the roads are completed, annual freight traffic is expected to increase 2.5-fold to 13.2 million tonnes.

Construction of all three highways is scheduled to be completed by 2029.

Original author: Alexander Smolin

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