Almaty Metro to be linked with Alatau city

Tengrinews.kz — Askat Saduov, General Director of the AlmatyGenPlan Research Institute, spoke about plans to develop the metro system in Almaty. According to him, one option being considered is extending the existing metro line to the Barlyk station and then linking it to the Almaty-1 railway station. He shared the details during public hearings on Almaty’s master plan through 2040.

Based on his data, the metro development project has been adjusted. In particular, it is now proposed that the metro line will run not only within the city limits, but also beyond its boundaries, including suburban areas.

“These are the latest changes. The red line is the existing line, and it will reach Barlyk station. After that, we plan to extend the red line, since it goes to a transport hub below Rayymbek. We want to connect it with the Almaty-1 railway station. This is a classical solution — linking transport hubs with each other. In other words, Barlyk will be connected to the station,” the speaker explained in a conversation with our correspondent.

Screenshot: master plan from gov.kz

He clarified that after this, the line is planned to be extended further north and integrated with a new green line.

“We want to ensure fast access from Alatau to Almaty,” he noted.

What will happen with the LRT

In parallel, Almaty is considering development of an LRT network. According to the project, the line will run from Barlyk station along Tole bi Street, exiting toward the Almaty-2 railway station and further on.

“From Barlyk we bring it into the Tole bi corridor, then go along Abilai Khan Avenue to the second railway station, and after that along the future extension of Rayymbek Avenue toward the Eastern Gate. Then, via the new projected Khmelnitsky Street, we will connect it with the southern part of the city,” the head of AlmatyGenPlan said, sharing the plans.

He also separately addressed the project timeline. According to him, the feasibility study for the first phase of the LRT is now being finalized.

“The feasibility study is at the final stage. After it is approved, the timeframe for construction and installation works will become clear,” Saduov said.

He added that the city is considering an EPC contract format, under which the contractor assumes responsibility both for the design and for the construction of the facility.

“If this is an EPC contract with companies capable of fast implementation, then it may be in the near future (this refers to the timelines – Ed.). We know that Moscow (Russia) builds such transport infrastructure quickly. China as well — they can practically complete one line in two years,” he emphasized.

According to him, even the higher cost of such contracts may be justified by the shorter project implementation time.

“Even if it is a bit more expensive, in fact, if we multiply it by the time factor, we save,” he concluded.

At the same time, it is not yet known who will carry out the construction; the contractor will be selected based on competitive procedures.

It should be recalled that public discussions have begun in Almaty on the draft of the updated Master Plan of the city — the main document that defines the development of the metropolis until 2040. It places special emphasis on transport. The project envisages priority development of public transport: expansion of the metro network, launch of the first LRT line, development of the BRT system, and creation of dedicated bus lanes.

Kalkaman station to be completed in the first half of 2026

Earlier, Almaty akim Darkhan Satybaldy inspected the construction progress of the Kalkaman metro station and the adjacent tunnels. On 3 December it became known that contractors had completed track laying in the left running tunnel from Baurzhan Momyshuly station to Kalkaman.

At Kalkaman station, builders are continuing monolithic and finishing works, laying utilities, and preparing for equipment installation.

Photo: Akimat of the city of Almaty

The akimat reported that construction and installation works are planned to be completed by the end of the first half of 2026.

Back in September 2025, the Almaty akimat disclosed new details of the metro development plan. At that time, the deputy akim of the city stated that the design and cost-estimate documentation had already been prepared for the section of the metro from Kalkaman station to Barlyk market. Three more stations are planned to be built on this segment, and the project is expected to be completed within three years from the start of works.

It was also reported then that, in parallel, a feasibility study was being developed for the second metro line — from Zhibek Zholy station to the airport. It was additionally clarified that a tender had been announced to prepare the feasibility study for the third line, which is to connect Sairan station with the city of Alatau.