Astana, Kazakhstan, Nov. 25
By Daniyar Mukhtarov - Trend:
A section of "Western Europe - Western China" auto corridor in southern Kazakhstan will be laid through the tunnel in the mountains, Deputy Chairman of KazAvtoZhol company Ulan Alipov told Trend today during Kazakh Minister of Transport and Communications Askar Zhumagaliyev's working visit to the three southern provinces of the country (South Kazakhstan, Zhambyl and Almaty).
The purpose of the visit was to familiarize with the construction of "Western Europe-Western China" international auto corridor.
"It is planned to build a tunnel along Shakpak-ata pass [80 kilometers from Shymkent, South Kazakhstan] located in the gorge, where strong winds and constant snowfalls are observed in winter," he said. "This will improve traffic safety at this section."
"An Iranian company, which won the relevant tender, will lay the tunnel," he said.
According to Alipov, the operations on a 228 kilometer section were completed in southern Kazakhstan. The operations have been launched at two sections from Shymkent to the border of Zhambyl region with a total length of 80 kilometers this year.
Regarding the Zhambyl region, the operations on "Western Europe - Western China" project were completed at a 283 kilometer section, he said.
The total length of "Western Europe - Western China" international transit corridor on the territory of Kazakhstan is 2,787 kilometers. Around 2,452 kilometers are planned to be reconstructed. The reconstruction of the Kazakh section was launched in 2009.