In his address to the Oliy Majlis and the people, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced the launch of a major five-year program aimed at a comprehensive modernization of transport infrastructure. The main goal is to boost the country’s transit potential and give a strong impetus to economic growth. This was reported by upl.uzreports.
Citing UN analyses, the head of state stressed that quality roads have a direct impact on GDP and can raise economic growth by at least 2%. Therefore, the status of the republic’s most important road arteries will be revised, and a total of 4,000 kilometers of highways will be converted into modern “expressways” that meet international standards.
The upgrade will begin with strategic routes linking the country’s regions. The priority list includes the Andijan–Kungrad and Tashkent–Termez corridors, while the Samarkand–Shahrisabz and Alat–Sariosiyo roads will also be modernized.
Alongside реконstruction of existing roads, entirely new infrastructure will be built as well—800 kilometers of high-speed toll roads are planned. The project will connect the capital with major regional hubs and tourist destinations: toll sections will appear on the Tashkent–Samarkand, Tashkent–Andijan, and Tashkent–Bostanliq routes, and work will also be carried out on the Pungan–Namangan and Karshi–Shahrisabz segments.
According to the 2026 plans, another 300 kilometers of public roads will be overhauled. Equipment will be deployed to the most critical sections in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, as well as Bukhara, Kashkadarya, and Surkhandarya regions.
Mirziyoyev also noted that the approach to planning urban and intercity environments will change. At the legislative level, designers will be required to take public opinion into account, assess the environmental impact of traffic flows, and create a comfortable “barrier-free” environment for pedestrians.
For reference, the world’s longest road is the Pan-American Highway, stretching nearly 30,000 kilometers. However, due to sharp temperature swings in Uzbekistan—from -20°C in winter to +50°C in summer—it was emphasized that long-lasting expressways require special polymer-bitumen binders that prevent asphalt from softening under the sun.
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