Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —  The construction of a new 240-kilometer section with cement-concrete pavement on the international highway A380 "Guzar - Bukhara - Nukus – Beineu" has been completed. This was reported by Nilufar Jumayeva, Head of the Information Service of the Committee for Roads of Uzbekistan.

The project was implemented in accordance with the decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan from 5 March 2020, concerning the reconstruction of the 964–1204 kilometers section of the A380 highway with the support of the Asian Development Bank.

The new cement-concrete road was built in the Kumkurgan district of the Republic of Karakalpakstan and serves as a strategic highway connecting Uzbekistan with European countries.

The project was carried out with the involvement of Turkish companies Polat Yol Yapı Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş., Azerbaijani Nord West Construction, as well as Chinese companies CRBC and CCCC Third Highway Engineering Co., Ltd. Construction work took place from 2020 to 2024.

The total project cost amounted to US$383.4 million, of which US$274.9 million was provided by the Asian Development Bank, and US$108.5 million was allocated from the Republic of Uzbekistan’s funds.

The main goal of the project was to ensure high-quality international and national roads in compliance with international standards and requirements.

Since cement-concrete pavement is highly durable and has a service life of up to 25 years, repair and maintenance costs will be reduced by nearly 2.5 times.

The volume of international and transit freight transport, including passenger traffic, will increase significantly, and the number of road accidents on the reconstructed section will decrease by half. Travel time will be reduced by 2.2 times, contributing to the growth of the GDP of the regions and improving the living standards of local residents through the new infrastructure and reconstructed roads, while minimizing the negative environmental impact.

Now, the distance for international transportation from Uzbekistan’s regions will be shortened by up to 1,000 kilometers, and transportation costs will be reduced by 25%. This road will become a reliable logistics network connecting Uzbekistan with European markets through the Caspian and Black Sea ports.

Around the new road, plans are in place to create more than 200 trade and service facilities, as well as industrial enterprises. This will lay a solid foundation for increasing transit volumes and other services in Karakalpakstan to US$200 million annually, while Uzbekistan’s exports are expected to grow by at least US$300 million.