The Tashkent to Samarkand toll road will start from the Tashkent Ring Road in Sergeli district and run parallel to the existing highway, the Deputy Director of the Avtoyulinvest agency Asliddin Isaev told the Uzbekistan 24 TV channel.
According to him, there is currently high traffic volume on the existing route—55,000 to 60,000 vehicles per day.
"The Tashkent to Samarkand toll road is one of the largest strategic projects. Once completed, travel time between these cities will be reduced to 2 to 2.5 hours," Isaev said.
He underscored that negotiations with potential investors were complete, and pre to contract financing terms were currently being discussed.
"Construction work is planned to begin in the near future. Major Chinese investment companies, which are ranked in the world's top 100 companies, have expressed interest in the project," he stated.
The new highway is planned to incorporate intelligent transportation systems.
"This highway will have 12 entry and exit terminals. The road will be fully digitalized and equipped with intelligent transportation systems operating 24/7," he stressed.
Replyin to a question about access to the highway, he clarified that the terminals will allow drivers to enter and exit the road along their route.
"Yes. The road will start from the major ring road in Sergeli district of Tashkent and end in the Samarkand province. It will run parallel to the existing highway," Isaev said.
The toll road fees have not yet been determined.
"The fees will be determined following negotiations with investors. Most importantly, the purchasing power of households will be taken into account when setting it," he added.
The possibility of a phased launch of the highway is also being considered, to avoid waiting five years for full construction.
"Our research shows that the Tashkent to Syr Darya section has the highest traffic flow. Therefore, negotiations with investors are considering the possibility of opening the road in phases," Isayev said.
According to the approved feasibility study, the project price construction is estimated at $2.25 billion.
The project involves extensive engineering work, including 12 interchanges, 60 tunnel crossings, 91 bridges, 16 overpasses, and 258 culverts.
Subgrade reinforcement is planned for certain sections of the highway:
soil stabilization at 140 km, rock and crushed stone columns at 7.2 km, and replacement of soft soil with sand and gravel at 132.8 km.
Road Specifications:
- Length: 282 km (originally planned for 300 km);
- Category: Motorway (I to a);
- Number of lanes: 6;
- Construction period: 5 years;
- Pavement: cement concrete;
- Design speed: 150 km/h;
- Expected traffic volume: up to 50,000 vehicles per day;
- Toll booths: 12;
- Roadside service areas: 6 (on both sides);
- Permissible axle load: 13 tons;
- Lane width: 3.75 m;
- Weight monitoring system: WIM (dynamic weighing).
In early March, the president Mirziyoyev reviewed toll road projects based public to private partnership terms. The first such highway, Urgench to Khiva, is scheduled to be commissioned in 2026, and the main phase of construction on three more highways, including routes from Tashkent to Samarkand, Andijan, and Charvak, to begin in 2026.
