New highway to cut travel distance from Astana to western Kazakhstan by 560 km

Tengrinews.kz - Minister of Transport Marat Karabayev announced plans for a new highway connecting Astana to the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, reducing travel distance to western Kazakhstan.

Speaking at a meeting with residents of the Kostanay region, Karabayev said the new route will pass through Arkalyk, Turgay, and Irgiz.

Currently, the journey from Astana to the western regions spans 1,438 km via Atbasar, Esil, Kostanay, Karabutak, and Irgiz. The new route—passing through Zhanteke, Egindikol, Arkalyk, and Torgay—will cut the distance to 865 km, over 560 km shorter than the existing road.

"This large-scale project is being implemented under the President’s directive announced at the National Kurultai. The Center-West highway will boost both economic growth and social development in several regions," Karabayev stated.

Previously, Marat Karabayev announced the large-scale road projects planned for 2025 in Kazakhstan.