Kazakhstan inaugurates its longest bridge across Bukhtarma reservoir
Upon the instruction of the Head of State, Kazakh Premier Olzhas Bektenov attended the inauguration of the country’s longest bridge across the Bukhtarma reservoir in East Kazakhstan region. The bridge, connecting Kurchum, Ulken Naryn, Markakol, Katon-Karaganay, Tarbagatay and Zaisan districts, offers a lasting solution to the transport connectivity problem, Kazinform News Agency cites the press service of the Kazakh government.
Marat Karabayev, Kazakh transport minister, reported on the completion of the construction of the two-lane road bridge with the length of 1,316 meters to the government head. 18 km of new road have been added to the bridge, which allows it to handle up to 80 thousand vehicle per day. The project was carried out with the use of advanced engineering technologies and observation of all quality standards.
During the meeting with the region’s residents, Prime Minister Bektenov noted that the project is to ensure a year-round movement of transport vehicles, to give an impetus to the social and economic development of East Kazakhstan and to have a positive impact on the development of the transport and logistics sector of the country.
The new bridge was built upon the instruction of the Head of State with the aim to improve the comfort and safety of the residents. You know that the region’s residents traveled by ferry in summer or on the ice in winter for 50 years. The locals long awaited for the construction of the bridge, said Bektenov.
East Kazakhstan is a strategic region, through which key transport corridors pass. The bridge across the Bukhtarma reservoir is set to improve logistics routes, ensure fast connection with neighboring countries.
According to the region’s residents, the bridge is to enhance the transport connectivity between the settlements located on either side of the reservoir, ensure the mobility of residents, accelerate the movement of goods, increase access to services as well as allow to tap into the tourist potential of the region.
The workers engaged in the bridge’s construction were only the residents of our country. No foreign specialist was engaged. Many people were provided with jobs. The construction was underway in all weather – in the cold of winter and in the heat of summer, said Bakytkhan Olmessekov, honorary residents of Kurchum district.
The Kazakh government head pointed out that special attention is paid to the attraction to domestic specialists and contracting companies during the implementation of major projects.