Construction work is starting in Kyrgyzstan for a new 125km highway stretch that will boost transport and trade with neighbouring China, providing a significant economic boost. Previous estimates have put the cost of the project at $860 million. The package of works for the project was awarded to the Chinese contractor China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) by the Kyrgyzstan Government.
The new Barskoon-Bedel highway is located in Kyrgyzstan’s Issyk-Kul Region and connects with the Bedel at the border with China’s Aksu Prefecture. The new highway will make a significant reduction in travel times, cutting as much as 12 hours from the journey, by slashing the transport distance by 500km.
The project does include some challenging and complex sections. With work being carried out in remote, mountainous areas, the terrain will be extremely rugged and require working at altitude, placing additional stresses for both personnel and machines. Simply getting the personnel, equipment and materials needed to some of the more remote sites will require considerable logistical efforts.
A 5.5km tunnel stretch will be built at an altitude of 3,700m to carry the route under the Söök Pass. Another 3.8km tunnel will be built under the Ashuu-Suu Pass. Both of these tunnel stretches will ensure that the road can remain open during winter. In addition, there will be a large viaduct in the Kara-Sai valley and a series of 12 switchbacks allowing the route to gain altitude, close to the Barskoon River.
Building the highway will take until September 2029 with the route being fully open for transport by September 2030. This will be Kyrgyzstan’s third road route linking with China, along with the existing the Irkeshtam and Torugart passes in the Osh Region and Naryn Region respectively. However, this new route features an alignment and design that will ensure it can remain in operation even during winter and will not be closed by excessive snowfall.
Funding for the project has been provided by China’s Exim Bank in the shape of a $400 million loan. The project is the result of extensive discussions between the Kyrgyzstan Government and Chinese Government that have taken a number of years to finalise. Once the highway is open it will provide a crucial economic lifeline for the landlocked Asian nation, providing a more reliable link to its giant neighbour.
