150 km/h Tashkent–Samarkand highway: what will the toll be?

The construction of a new 282-kilometer highway connecting Tashkent and Samarkand has been entrusted to China's China Overseas Engineering Group. The $2.2 billion megaproject is scheduled to be completed by 2030, with plans to allow speeds of up to 150 kilometers per hour on the road.

However, the main question on everyone's mind is whether the new route will be a toll road immediately, and how much it will cost to travel on it. According to officials, the project will be implemented in two stages, and the payment system will only be introduced after construction is completed.

Which company is building the highway?

The new Tashkent–Samarkand highway will be built by China Overseas Engineering Group (COVEC), a subsidiary of the China Railway Engineering Corporation.

Company President Wang Kun attended the ceremony dedicated to the highway's construction on July 22, stating that the project will be implemented in accordance with high international standards.

"We aim to fulfill our contractual obligations with full responsibility and adhere to the strictest requirements regarding labor safety, construction quality, and environmental protection," said Wang Kun.

He emphasized that advanced technologies and "green construction" principles will be widely used in the project.

The road will not be a toll road immediately

Minister of Transport Ilhom Mahkamov stated that COVEC's primary task is to build the new route and deliver it ready for use.

Transitioning the road to a toll system will be carried out separately, in the second stage.

"The main builder is the Chinese company. Its task is to build and hand it over. The second stage of our project involves finding a partner for the completed road to turn it into a toll road," the minister said.

This means that different companies may be involved in building the road and implementing the payment system. The operator of the toll highway will be selected at a later date.

Key indicators of the new route

Sherzod Boltayev, a representative of the Committee for Highways, said that the route will be fully equipped with an intelligent transport system.

In the event of a traffic accident or other danger, drivers will be promptly notified via electronic warning boards. This will allow for traffic control and ensure continuous road safety.

Half of the construction materials will come from Uzbekistan

The project plans for the share of local products and services to be at least 50 percent.

In particular, the production of the following materials is planned in Uzbekistan:

• cement-concrete products;

• gravel, sand, and other inert materials;

• certain road construction structures;

• other products manufactured by local enterprises.

This approach could help keep a portion of construction costs within the country, create orders for local enterprises, and generate new jobs.

Will 100,000 soums be paid for 200 kilometers of road?

According to preliminary estimates announced in the fall of 2025, traveling a distance of 200 kilometers on the new highway could cost approximately 100,000 soums.

However, this is not yet a final or approved tariff. The payment amount may change depending on the operator selected in the second stage, construction costs, the service system, and the type of transport.

It is likely that separate tariffs will be set for passenger cars, buses, and heavy trucks. Therefore, the current figure of 100,000 soums should be taken as a rough initial estimate.

How much will the road from Tashkent to Samarkand be shortened?

The ability to travel at 150 kilometers per hour on the new highway could significantly reduce travel time between Tashkent and Samarkand.

However, the actual travel duration will depend on:

• speed limits on the road;

• entry and exit points;

• the toll booth system;

• traffic flow;

• rest and service areas.

Once the new road is operational, it is expected that the load on the existing route will decrease, cargo transportation will speed up, and economic ties between the two major cities will become even more active.

The most important question of the project remains open

For now, the construction company, the length of the route, the estimated cost, and the commissioning date are known. However, the toll road operator, final tariffs, and the system of benefits will be determined in the next stage.

Therefore, until 2030, not only the construction process but also the terms of use for the new highway will remain in the public spotlight.

Do you think a 100,000 soum toll for 200 kilometers on the Tashkent–Samarkand road is reasonable? Leave your opinion in the comments and send this information to your loved ones who travel to Samarkand often.