Uzbekistan secures $233M ADB loan to modernize key highway
Project to upgrade 87 km of CAREC Road Corridor 2 in Karakalpakstan, boosting trade, safety, and climate resilience in Central Asia
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan (MNTV) — Uzbekistan has secured a $233.1 million loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to modernize a vital stretch of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Road Corridor 2, a move aimed at boosting regional trade, improving safety, and strengthening climate resilience.
According to the Manila-based lender, the CAREC Road Corridor 2 Resilience and Modernization Project will upgrade 87 kilometers of the Guzar–Bukhara–Nukus–Beyneu (A380) highway.
The plan includes building a 75 km bypass between Turtkul, Ellikkala, and Beruniy, alongside the reconstruction of a 12 km section of the existing A380.
Kanokpan Lao-Araya, ADB’s Country Director for Uzbekistan, said the investment would reinforce the country’s position as a key transit hub. “By integrating climate-resilient infrastructure and intelligent transport systems, the project will ensure long-term sustainability and deliver safer and more efficient mobility for communities and businesses,” she said.
To withstand extreme weather, the new highway design incorporates cement concrete pavement, elevated embankments, and modern drainage systems. The project will also feature intelligent transport systems and weigh-in-motion technologies to monitor traffic, enforce axle load limits, and reduce maintenance costs.
Along the corridor, five new rest and service areas will be developed, with facilities designed to be safe and accessible for women and provisions for electric vehicle charging stations. Officials say the initiative reflects Uzbekistan’s Strategy 2030 goals of advancing sustainability, gender equality, and regional integration.
The total cost of the project stands at $293.7 million, with the government contributing $60.6 million. ADB noted that the modernization effort will not only reduce travel time within Uzbekistan but also enhance cross-border trade across Central Asia, linking businesses and communities to wider markets.
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