Maslikhat deputy Timur Eleusizov said that in Almaty, 2 billion tenge was allocated from the budget for laying innovative polymer-coated asphalt on Abai Avenue, but it has already rutted.
"We allocated 2 billion for Abai, for replacing asphalt, landscaping and everything else. They said it was innovative asphalt, with a modern coating, the best technology. Unfortunately, we don't see this technology. Why? Because all the asphalt along the bus lane has rutted," reports Bes.media, citing Timur Eleusizov.
At the same time, the deputy noted that the new asphalt on Timiryazev and Satpayev streets has also become unusable.
"There are warranty periods everywhere, but we see the asphalt has already deteriorated. Plus, there are many questions about the road surface on the outskirts. (...) People are complaining, saying they've had to walk 3 km to the main road for a month just to get to work," said Eleusizov.
Meanwhile, the head of the City Mobility Department, Sagyndyk Telibayev, confirmed the deputy's words.
"For the dedicated lane, the installation of a two-layer polymer asphalt concrete was planned. This is a coarse-grained lower layer. Rutting has occurred precisely on the dedicated lane. This is across six sections. Each section is 20 metres long," stated Sagyndyk Telibayev.
The head of the department noted that a study was carried out on the problematic streets, which showed that the strength of the asphalt is very low. He added that on 29 August, the sections will be milled at the expense of the contractor.
"We have now been given an instruction; three layers of asphalt concrete will be laid at the contractor's expense – two lower coarse-grained layers and 5 cm of polymer asphalt concrete," explained Sagyndyk Telibayev.
Incidentally, BaigeNews.kz previously reported that in 2022, the Akim of Almaty, Erbolat Dosayev, promised that the polymer-modified surface would last at least 10 years.
"The roads will withstand more than double the load – at least 10 years. We are ready to start this work next year. The cost per kilometre of road will increase by an average of just over 20 percent, but I think 10 years is a very important factor so that we don't have to repair anything for 10 years. (...) By December we will get the necessary results. From next year, the city intends to build better and more durable roads," Erbolat Dosayev said two years ago.