In 2026, Kazakhstan identified 1,670 defects during quality inspections of road works. For improper quality control of works, technical supervision experts of JSC "NC "QazAvtoZhol" were fined a total of KZT 53.4 million, and a further 22 specialists were dismissed.
HOW MANY VIOLATIONS WERE IDENTIFIED ON ROADS
According to JSC "NC "QazAvtoZhol", during 2026 the company's specialists conducted about 50 quality inspections of road works.
Based on their results, 1,670 defects and violations were discovered. To date, contractors have remedied 831 issues, which amounts to 49.8% of the total. Work to remedy the remaining defects is ongoing.
Among the identified violations are potholing, cracks, hollows, shifts of asphalt concrete surfacing and rutting. These defects affect the operational condition of motor roads.
WHAT MEASURES WERE TAKEN AGAINST SPECIALISTS
For each identified violation, responsible persons are identified. Penalties totalling KZT 53.4 million were applied to technical supervision specialists who improperly controlled the quality of works.
Also, following the inspections, 22 technical supervision experts were stripped of their positions.
HOW THE REMEDIATION OF DEFECTS IS MONITORED
QazAvtoZhol emphasised that identifying a defect does not mean accepting it. Contracting organisations are issued requirements to remedy the issues, and the stipulated measures are applied to responsible persons.
The company continues to conduct quality inspections of road works on the republican network of motor roads.
CONTEXT
In summer 2026, abnormally high air temperatures in Kazakhstan led to temperature deformations on certain sections of cement concrete motor roads. In a number of the country's regions, air temperatures reached +35…+40 °C. At the same time, the surface of motor roads could heat up to +60…+70 °C and above.
Thus, on 1 June 2026, warping of the surfacing occurred on the KAZ04 "Astana – Pavlodar" highway, which was linked to a rise in air temperature. Despite preventive works being carried out, the deformation could not be prevented.
The problem of recurring temperature deformations of cement concrete roads in Kazakhstan is systemic in nature. The FBRA has already drawn attention to it: in one of its episodes on YouTube, the editorial team analysed similar cases on the Astana – Pavlodar, Taraz – Kainar and Shymkent – Taraz highways, which occurred in different years.
As noted in the review, almost every such incident was accompanied by a similar official explanation from JSC "NC "QazAvtoZhol": the cause was cited as the thermal expansion of cement concrete slabs during intense heat. The national operator also referred to international experience, noting that similar deformations are recorded in the USA, Germany, Poland and other countries.
