Kazakhstan completes 52% of railway to China border
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Kazakhstan's Ministry of Transport reported that the Bakhty–Ayagoz railway, a new link to China, is 52% complete with over 20 million cubic meters of earthwork done. The line will create a third rail border crossing and is expected to boost annual cargo capacity to 25 million tons.
Construction Progress
The Bakhty–Ayagoz railway project is 52% complete, with over 20 million cubic meters of earthwork finished, according to Kazakhstan's Ministry of Transport. The earthwork is scheduled for completion by October 2026. Currently, 1,379 workers and 884 pieces of equipment are deployed on site.
Strategic Impact
The new line will create a third rail border crossing with China, forming an additional international transport corridor with Uzbekistan. It aims to redistribute cargo flows from the congested Saryagash–Tashkent section, increase network capacity, and expand transit traffic to Central Asian countries. The corridor's annual capacity is projected to reach 25 million tons.
What's Next
The earthwork is to be completed by October 2026, with the full railway launch expected thereafter. It remains unclear whether the project will meet its timeline given the scale of remaining construction.
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Kazakhstan completes 52% of railway to China border
