President Shavkat Mirziyoyev took a ride along the newly constructed Urgench-Khiva highway, marking the inauguration of Uzbekistan's first toll road. The route begins at Urgench International Airport and runs parallel to a new railway line that was opened the previous day.
The four-lane highway spans 35 kilometers and includes a tunnel, eight overpasses, 15 bridges, and 106 drainage structures. Plans are also underway to develop roadside service facilities along the route.
Designed to handle over 30,000 vehicles daily, the new infrastructure is expected to cut travel time between the two historic cities from 45–50 minutes to just 15–17 minutes.
Traffic flow and toll collection will be managed through advanced digital systems. Drivers can pay electronically without stopping, or use bank cards and QR codes. Dedicated lanes have been designated for emergency and special-purpose vehicles to ensure unimpeded access.
Construction on the $120 million project began in February. According to official reports, the road features a pavement thickness of 87 centimeters, with a top layer composed of a modified bitumen mix engineered to withstand the local scorching heat.
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