Speed limit on Uzbekistan’s toll roads to be raised to 150 km/h

north_east

When the Tashkent-Samarkand and Tashkent-Andijan toll roads will be built became known

Drivers will be allowed to travel at speeds of up to 150 km/h on toll roads in Uzbekistan. This was announced by Hasan Umarov, Chief legal adviser of the Committee for automobile roads under the Ministry of Transport, during the ’’Parliament FM’’ podcast of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis.

According to Hasan Umarov, one of the main requirements for establishing a toll road is the presence of an alternative free route, allowing drivers the option of free movement. He added that toll roads must also provide higher speeds and improved service quality.

’’While the speed limit on public free roads is 90 km/h, it will be allowed up to 150 km/h on toll roads. Once the ‘On Automobile Roads’ law comes into force, corresponding amendments will be made to the traffic regulations as well,’’ he said.

Umarov also noted that toll roads will help reduce congestion on regular routes.

’’With toll roads offering a choice, traffic jams on public roads will decrease. For instance, if you travel 100–200 kilometers, you often encounter several speed cameras. Even one fine costs around 200,000 soums, while traveling the same distance on a toll road would cost about 100,000 soums. These figures are still preliminary and subject to change,’’ he explained.

According to Hasan Umarov, separate lanes may be designated on toll roads depending on the type of vehicle. For example, there could be specific lanes for cargo trucks and others for passenger cars.

At the same time, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on entrepreneurship, competition development, and industry of the Legislative chamber, Farhod Zayniyev, stated that the law stipulates free use of toll roads in emergencies. In particular, special vehicles such as ambulances and those belonging to internal affairs bodies will be allowed to use toll roads free of charge.

In December 2023, a project for the construction of the Tashkent–Samarkand toll highway was developed. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) allocated a $350,000 grant to prepare the project’s preliminary technical and economic documentation. The project envisions the construction of a 305-kilometer-long motorway meeting international standards, designed as a six-lane highway. It also includes the construction of new bridges and overpasses at all junctions, along with the installation of an intelligent transport system. Meanwhile, the Tashkent–Andijan toll road is expected to improve connectivity between Tashkent, other regions, and the Fergana valley. The total length of the project is 314 kilometers, with an estimated cost of $4.65 billion.