China's COVEC to Build Tashkent–Samarkand Highway, Toll Operator to Be Selected Separately
Uzbekistan
Construction of the new Tashkent–Samarkand highway will be carried out in two phases. China Overseas Engineering Group (COVEC) will build and deliver the road, after which a separate partner will be selected to operate the completed motorway as a toll road.
COVEC President Wang Kun attended the groundbreaking ceremony on 22 July. He said the company intends to deliver the project in line with international standards, emphasizing construction quality, workplace safety, environmental protection and the application of advanced green building technologies.
Uzbekistan's Minister of Transport Ilkhom Makhkamov said the contractor's responsibility is to complete and hand over the highway, while selecting the toll road operator will constitute the project's second phase.
According to Sherzod Boltayev, Head of a Department at the Committee for Roads, the 282-kilometre highway will be equipped with an intelligent transport system featuring digital information boards to improve traffic safety. More than 12 service areas are also planned along the route at intervals of approximately 50 kilometres.
The project is valued at $2.2 billion. Earlier estimates indicated that 85% of the financing could come from Chinese banks, with the remaining 15% provided through Uzbekistan's state budget. The highway is scheduled to be completed by 2030 and is designed for a maximum speed of 150 km/h.
Uzbekistan's Minister of Transport Ilkhom Makhkamov said the contractor's responsibility is to complete and hand over the highway, while selecting the toll road operator will constitute the project's second phase.
According to Sherzod Boltayev, Head of a Department at the Committee for Roads, the 282-kilometre highway will be equipped with an intelligent transport system featuring digital information boards to improve traffic safety. More than 12 service areas are also planned along the route at intervals of approximately 50 kilometres.
The project is valued at $2.2 billion. Earlier estimates indicated that 85% of the financing could come from Chinese banks, with the remaining 15% provided through Uzbekistan's state budget. The highway is scheduled to be completed by 2030 and is designed for a maximum speed of 150 km/h.
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