Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 12
By Elena Kosolapova- Trend: Kazakhstan built 806 kilometers of highways within Western Europe - Western China corridor in 2013, Kazakh transport and communication ministry reported.
In particular, 254 kilometers were built in Kyzylorda region, 224 kilometers in South Kazakhstan region, 188 kilometers in Zhambyl region, and 140 kilometers in Aktobe region.
Currently, the entire length of the reconstructed sections of international "Western Europe - Western China" corridor reaches 1721 kilometers.
It is planned to build and open traffic to 179 kilometers across four regions in 2014, exclusive the Aktobe region where the reconstruction work has been completed.
It is planned to open traffic to the highways from the city of Shymkent to the border with Russia and between the cities of Taraz and Almaty.
The construction work will be focused on Almaty - Khorgos and Shymkent - border of Zhambyl region sections in 2014, where the reconstruction started this year. Repair work will also be launched at the 99 kilometers long Tashkent - Shymkent section.
By the end of 2014, Kazakhstan will complete all the construction work within "Western Europe - Western China" corridor excepting the sections near the borders, namely from Almaty to the border of China and from the border of Zhambyl region to the border of Uzbekistan.
The project is scheduled to be completed in 2015.
The Western Europe - Western China international transport corridor will become the shortest road transport link from the Central Asian countries to Europe.
The whole corridor project is being financed by several International Financial Institutions including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the World Bank, ADB and Islamic Development Bank.