Kazakhstan: Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Corridors 1, 2, and 6 Connector Road (Kyzylorda–Zhezkazgan) Reconstruction Project

Transport / Road transport (non-urban)

Located at the center of Kazakhstan, Karaganda is the largest province of Kazakhstan, with an area of 420,000 km

but a population of just 1.4 million people. Rich in natural resources, most of its cities are monotowns with local economies centered on extractive industries. Zhezkazgan and its satellite town of Satpayev have a population of about 150,000 people, and rely on manufacturing and metallurgy production. While Zhezkazgan is one of the most isolated cities of Kazakhstan, it is also the only town of significance on the road connecting the northern economic center of Karagandy (530 km, 0.5 million people) and Nur Sultan (730 km, 1.1 million people); and the southern economic cluster located along the catchment area of the Syr Darya river, including the cities of Kyzylorda (430 km, 0.2 million), Turkistan (710 km, 0.2 million), Shymkent (880 km, 0.9 million), Tashkent (1,000 km, 2.4 million), and the aerospace center of Baikonur. Industry and mining account for 46% of the economy of the southern Kyzylorda province, and rely on efficient infrastructure networks; however, only three roads connect it to other provinces, including the road to Nur Sultan through Zhezkazgan.

About 1,800 daily vehicles travel between Zhezkazgan and Kyzylorda, including about 1,020 cars, 40 buses, and 740 heavy vehicles. The pavement is in very poor condition, and the 412 km journey requires about 6.8 hours, or a speed of 60 km/h, despite a straight alignment unhampered by geometric constraints. The road is prone to closures, especially during snowfall and snowmelt. The two-lane road will be reconstructed to a higher two-lane standard, with a design speed of 120 km/h which will halve travel times to 3.5 hours, and 3.75 meters lanes which will improve safety. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) project loan will reconstruct the 208 km section located in the Karaganda province, while the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is expected to finance the 204 km section in the Kyzylorda province, and a 12 km bypass of Kyzylorda city. The project road will incorporate gender positive elements, notably as rest areas. The project will also support institutional strengthening of KazAvtoZhol to improve its service delivery and expertise, notably by incorporating training program in procurement, contract management, road safety, and environmental management, and by conducting a campaign on road safety for residents of Zhezkazgan.

Project benefits. The total journey time on the Nur Sultan-Karagandy-Zhezkazgan-Kyzylorda-Shymkent-Tashkent corridor (1,800 km) will reduce from 24 to 21 hours, while travel time between Kyzylorda-Zhezkazgan will be halved and vehicle operating costs will reduce by about 35%. The primary project beneficiaries are the residents and industries of Kyzylorda and Zhezkazgan, who will benefit from improved access to northern and southern economic centers and their markets, education, and health services; and from a safer and more efficient transport and logistics network. As reconstruction will occur in the existing right-of-way without involving land acquisition or resettlement, the project will not have negative impacts on people, while benefitting women and reducing their time poverty. With the project road linking CAREC corridor 2 (east-west) with corridors 1 and 6 (north-south), the project will also contribute to increasing international trade, particularly northbound trade towards the Russian Federation and southbound trade towards Uzbekistan, and strengthen Kazakhstan's role as a regional hub for transit freight.

(i)Transport and logistics infrastructure expanded to promote global integration, export competitiveness, and economic growth (Kazakhstan 2050 Strategy)

(ii)Regional and national transport networks developed to meet growing social, economic, and trade connectivity needs (CAREC Transport Strategy 2030)

Road network efficiency, safety and sustainability in central Kazakhstan improved

National highway between Kyzylorda and Zhezkazgan upgraded

Institutional capacity of KazAvtoZhol strengthened