JSC "NC "KazAvtoZhol" has announced the start of major repairs and expansion of a section of the "Almaty – Bishkek" international highway, from the 19th to the 27th kilometre in the Karassay District of the Almaty Region. The project involves increasing the number of traffic lanes from four to eight and modernising one of the busiest entrances to Almaty.
WHAT THE PROJECT INCLUDES
Work began on 20 July 2026 and is being carried out pursuant to the Head of State's instruction on the development of transport infrastructure.
It is reported that this section is one of the country's busiest transport corridors, with more than 70,000 vehicles passing through it daily. According to the national company, the existing four-lane road can no longer cope with the increased traffic load, leading to congestion, reduced average speeds, and an increased risk of road traffic accidents.
Chairman of the Management Board of JSC "NC "KazAvtoZhol" Darkhan Imanashev stated that the project aims to increase the capacity of the entry and exit points to Almaty, improve road safety, and create more comfortable conditions for local and transit traffic.
WHAT WORK IS PLANNED
The project provides for the widening of the road from four to eight traffic lanes. It also includes the construction of two "Horseshoe"-type interchanges, nine pedestrian footbridges, the installation of pavements along the entire section, a street lighting system, and new heavy-duty road surface.
Furthermore, the relocation of utility networks is planned, including gas pipelines, water supply networks, power lines, and fibre-optic communication lines.
WHY THIS TOPIC IS ATTRACTING ATTENTION
The modernisation of the Almaty–Bishkek highway has been discussed for several years. As early as spring 2025, it was reported that a project to widen the section near Almaty to eight lanes was being prepared, but at that time the documentation was undergoing state expert review.
A separate reconstruction project for the Uzynagash – Otar section, 42 km in length, previously estimated at 34.4 billion tenge, was also subject to delays and a change of contractor. In November 2025, that section was brought into operation, completing the formation of a four-lane highway between Almaty and Shymkent.
