The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $233.1 million loan to Uzbekistan to modernize a key segment of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Road Corridor 2. The project is designed to enhance regional connectivity, reduce travel time, and improve road safety and climate resilience in western Uzbekistan.
The CAREC Road Corridor 2 Resilience and Modernization Project will upgrade around 87 kilometers of the Guzar–Bukhara–Nukus–Beyneu (A380) highway in Karakalpakstan. This includes constructing a new 75 km bypass (Turtkul–Ellikkala–Beruniy) and reconstructing a 12 km section of the existing A380. The highway will incorporate climate-resilient features such as cement concrete pavement, elevated embankments, and improved drainage systems to better withstand extreme weather and climate impacts.
ADB Country Director for Uzbekistan, Kanokpan Lao-Araya, highlighted that the investment will strengthen Uzbekistan’s role as a regional transit hub and support inclusive economic growth in Karakalpakstan. The project will integrate intelligent transport systems and weigh-in-motion technologies to enhance traffic monitoring, enforce axle load regulations, and lower road maintenance costs. Five rest and service areas will be developed along the corridor, featuring electric vehicle charging stations and gender-responsive facilities to ensure safe and accessible amenities for women.
The total cost of the project is $293.7 million, with Uzbekistan contributing $60.6 million. The initiative aligns with Uzbekistan’s Strategy 2030 and ADB’s Strategy 2030 priorities, emphasizing climate resilience, gender equality, and regional integration.
Marking the 30th anniversary of its partnership with Uzbekistan, ADB has provided the country with $14.3 billion in public sector loans, grants, and technical assistance since 1995. ADB continues to support inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth in Asia and the Pacific, leveraging innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to build quality infrastructure and promote sustainable development.
