In the Akmola Region, 35 overflows on roads due to flooding have been recorded. Of these, 17 sections remain flooded and are under special monitoring.
As reported by the Kazinform International News Agency, citing the head of the regional department for passenger transport and highways, Vladimir Kulakov, there are 181 bridges and more than 3,000 culverts in the region.
"To ensure road safety during the spring period, contractors have formed teams equipped with the necessary tools and machinery for cleaning bridges and culverts. Currently, round-the-clock patrolling, standby duty, regular monitoring of floodwater passage, and the necessary collection of information from all heads of rural districts and road organisations have been organised," the speaker noted.
According to long-term observations, 33 of the most vulnerable road sections have been identified in the region, where overflows or flooding occur during floods.
It is noted that in 2024, about 40 road sections with a total length of more than 20 km were damaged due to overflows. As Kulakov clarified, all of them have been restored.
The flood also damaged three bridges: on the "Zhaltyr — Makinsk" road, "Kiyma — Tersakan" road, and in Kokshetau on Ashimov Street. Design and estimate documentation (DED) is currently being developed for these structures. The authorities plan to receive a positive conclusion in May 2025.
"Last year, 40 culverts were installed. Repairs were also carried out on more than 60 existing culverts. This included a major overhaul of a culvert at the 29th km of the 'Zholymbet-Shortandy-Prigorodnoye' road and the installation of seven culverts on the 'Eastern Bypass' road of Astana city, Saryoba station. This flood shows that these culverts are coping fully and ensuring traffic safety," added Kulakov.
According to him, construction of a bridge at the 19th km of the 'Atbasar — Sochinskoye' highway is ongoing. Another project to build a bridge at the 13th km of the 'Esil — Svobodnoye — Razdolnoye' highway is at the stage of adjusting the DED.
"After the water level subsides, work will immediately begin on restoring the roadway and damaged verges. Regarding the village of Karaozek, this is a district road located in the Bulandinsky District. Funds have been allocated for the development of DED for bridge construction. This year we plan to develop the DED, and in 2026, if funds are allocated, we plan to begin implementation. After that, the village will be provided with transport links during the flood period," the speaker noted.
Currently, there is no transport connection on several sections. For example, on the 'Esil — Svobodnoye — Razdolnoye' highway. Medicines have been delivered to the cut-off villages, and patients have been evacuated. It is reported that the water level has begun to recede.
Kulakov noted that there is also no passage on the 'Atbasar — Sochinskoye' highway. The situation remains difficult in the Astrakhan District. There is no transport connection with the villages of Pervomaika, Kamyzhenka and Lazovoye, although there is an inconvenient detour via a district road.