Tashkent to Andijan in just 3 hours: New highways underway

With the construction of new highways, travel time between Tashkent and Andijan will be reduced from five hours to three, while the journey from Tashkent to Samarkand will take just 2.5 hours instead of 4.5. These improvements were highlighted in a progress report on road construction projects presented to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on March 26.  

According to the report, Uzbekistan has more than 184,000 kilometers of roads, with 25% of international highways operating under high traffic loads. For instance, the Tashkent-Samarkand route, designed for 32,000 vehicles per day, currently carries around 45,000, sometimes leading to delays of up to six hours. By 2030, daily traffic volume could exceed 80,000 vehicles.  

A presidential resolution issued on October 10, 2023, outlined plans to develop modern highways, aiming to improve convenience for the public and strengthen logistics networks within the national economy.  

In line with this resolution, construction is underway for alternative routes connecting Tashkent with Samarkand and Andijan. Notably, the Tashkent-Andijan highway was designed in collaboration with the World Bank, and an international tender for its construction was announced in January. More than 30 reputable foreign companies have already expressed interest in the project.  

Once completed, this 314-kilometer expressway will reduce travel time between Tashkent and Andijan from five hours to three. Additionally, it is expected to boost Uzbekistan’s GDP by 2.6% and reduce road accidents by 40%.  

Another major project involves constructing an additional highway linking Tashkent and Samarkand. Developed with input from foreign experts, this new 300-kilometer route will cut travel time between the two cities from 4.5 hours to 2.5 hours while easing congestion on the existing road.  

The new highways will be built to modern standards, featuring various paid services for drivers and passengers. Local construction companies will also have the opportunity to participate in the project.  

Minister of Transport Ilhom Makhkamov provided an update on the status of these projects. Discussions at the meeting focused on accelerating geodesy work, preparing construction sites, and securing funding and contractors.