ТАSHKENT, July 22. /Dunyo IA/. Today, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited the Urtachirchik district of the Tashkent region and laid the foundation stone for the construction of the new Tashkent–Samarkand highway, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

According to the press service of the Head of our State, Leader of Uzbekistan emphasized the project's importance in strengthening the economic power and transport and logistics potential of New Uzbekistan.

“Today, without exaggeration, a new era is beginning in this sector. I congratulate you on the launch of this large-scale project, which will become a symbol of progress and prosperity for our people”, - President said.

The country's economy has grown threefold in recent years. The goal has been set to increase the economy to $240 billion by 2030. This requires the development of road transport and logistics infrastructure in line with the pace of economic growth.

Today, 4,000 kilometres of international transit roads pass through Uzbekistan. Thirty percent of them are operating at full capacity, while another 25 percent are operating beyond their design capacity.

Once the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway and the Trans-Afghan Railway are commissioned, our country will become a key link in the shortest overland corridor connecting the Pacific Ocean and Europe. New opportunities will also open up for access to the Indian Ocean and South Asian markets through Pakistani ports.

According to estimates, handling an additional 15-20 million tonnes of transit cargo annually will generate $400-600 million in revenue, attract $3 billion in investment for the development of logistics centres and terminals and create 50,000 permanent jobs.

To this end, by 2030, it is planned to transform 4,000 kilometers of international roads connecting Andijan with Kungrad and Termez with Tashkent into modern transit corridors meeting high standards. The new Tashkent–Samarkand highway will be an important part of this strategic program.

Over the past ten years, construction and repair work has been carried out on 128,000 kilometers of roads at a cost of 78 trillion soums. Now, for the first time in Uzbekistan, a modern highway of the highest category is being built.

The six-lane highway, spanning 282 kilometers, will cost about 2.2 billion dollars. It will pass through 13 districts in the Tashkent, Syrdarya, Jizzakh, and Samarkand regions, where more than 2 million people live, creating new opportunities for the development of these areas.

As part of the project, 92 bridges, 28 overpasses, 60 tunnel-type crossings, as well as underpasses and culverts for agricultural use, will be built.

The highway will feature a durable monolithic concrete pavement designed to withstand heavy, high-speed traffic. On straight sections, vehicles will be able to travel at speeds of up to 150 kilometers per hour.

Modern safety, digital, and innovative technologies will significantly reduce the number of road traffic accidents.

“Once the project is completed, every one of our compatriots will certainly feel the benefits of the new road. Travel time from Tashkent to Samarkand will be reduced from the current five hours to two and a half hours”, - the Head of State noted.

The new highway will have a capacity of 60,000 to 80,000 vehicles per day. Smooth, congestion-free traffic will reduce energy consumption, vehicle wear and tear, and operating costs.

According to estimates, freight transport costs will decrease by 19 to 24 percent. This is particularly important for the rapid and efficient delivery of perishable fruits and vegetables, meat, milk, and other products to markets.

The new highway will become an important link connecting the Fergana Valley and the central regions of the country with its southern and western regions. It will also enhance the efficiency of international transport corridors and strengthen Uzbekistan's position as Central Asia's transport and logistics hub.

According to a World Bank analysis, every dollar invested in such infrastructure projects generates a fivefold return for the economy. The new highway is expected to contribute to a 3 percent increase in the gross regional product of the city of Tashkent and the Syrdarya, Jizzakh, and Samarkand regions.

Logistics centres, warehouses, industrial and agro-industrial enterprises, trade and service facilities, as well as hotel and tourism infrastructure, will be developed along the highway. This will create new jobs, expand the services market, and generate additional revenues for local budgets.

During construction, products manufactured by domestic enterprises and services provided by local companies will be widely used. This will generate major orders, support the establishment of new production facilities, and create additional jobs.

Leaders of the four regions were instructed to jointly plan the allocation of land plots and the development of logistics, engineering, and communications infrastructure based on the “Single Corridor – Single Standard” principle.

The highway has been designed in line with the best practices of Europe, Türkiye, China, and other countries. At the first stage, it will be built jointly with Chinese partners under the EPC model. Subsequently, modern mechanisms for its management, maintenance, and operation will be introduced.

Project will be implemented in accordance with international standards of quality, safety, and environmental protection. The highway is scheduled to be commissioned in 2030.

Head of State noted that this project is part of the country's large-scale road construction program. Construction of the Khiva-Urgench road is underway, the international tender for the Tashkent-Andijan route is nearing completion, and a private partner is being selected for the construction of a road connecting Tashkent with Bostanlyk district.

“Today, on the eve of the 35^th anniversary of our Motherland's independence, we are laying another solid foundation for the country's future, its economic stability, and the well-being of our people,” the President said.

Head of State wished the Chinese partners, domestic and foreign specialists, engineers, designers, and builders every success, particularly noting that, for the first time in Uzbekistan's history, such a “green” and innovative highway would be built.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev then placed a capsule in the foundation of the new Tashkent–Samarkand highway, officially launching its construction.