Russian Bitumen Is Stronger Than Kazakh: Supply Problems Halt Road Construction in Aqtobe

Road construction in suburban villages around Aqtobe has stalled due to a shortage of bitumen, most of which is sourced from Russia, an Orda.kz correspondent reports.

In Bauyrlastar-2, plans called for paving 41 streets worth 6.6 billion tenge last year. The contractor began work in August 2024 but managed to lay asphalt on only two streets before construction came to a halt. The Sunkar company explains that deliveries of Russian bitumen are delayed, and they refuse to use cheaper Kazakh bitumen because it deteriorates faster.

Similar problems, the contractor notes, are also being seen in Atyrau.

Due to the bitumen shortage, plants cannot produce asphalt on time. Therefore, there were delays. Bitumen is purchased from Russian factories because it is of higher quality. We must have a seven-year warranty. There is no point in using cheap bitumen — it decomposes in a year, said company representative Yeralkhan Diyarov.

The Akimat acknowledges the problem, admitting that deadlines have already been missed across the city. The project will now be rolled over into next year.

Financing only began in July–August. As soon as the money was received, asphalt laying began. Now the work has stopped because there is no bitumen. This is a citywide issue. The total construction period is 11 months. Work started on August 1, 2024, so the deadlines have expired. The project will continue next year, as funding delays prevented work from starting earlier. The budget was approved at the July maslikhat. Thirty-nine streets remain for next year, explained Arsen Murzalin, head of the highways sector at the Aqtobe housing and communal services department.

Meanwhile, residents of Bauyrlastar-2 complain that without proper roads, they must walk several kilometers to reach the nearest bus stop.

Public transport does not serve the village, and ambulances struggle to reach households.

We have been trying to get public transport into the village for eight years. It’s one kilometer from our house to the bus stop. I have a disabled child and must take him to the city regularly. Many streets are unpaved. Because of the lack of roads, ambulances cannot reach us, said local resident Zauresh Kulzhanova.

Another villager, Nurtai Ibraimov, added that authorities promised bus service would begin only once the asphalt was laid — but work has been at a standstill for six months.

We were promised that the bus service would be launched after the asphalt is laid. The money was allocated from the budget. Work started in April, but six months have passed, and nothing has been done. Contractors say they haven’t been paid. The village population is growing every year. What are we supposed to do? he asked.

Road issues are also reported in neighboring Bauyrlastar-1. Despite more than 10 billion tenge allocated for the two villages, residents are still waiting for proper asphalt.

Original Author: Elmira Yerzhanova