Kazakhstan to cut China-Europe transit to three days via 1,574 km of new roads

September 5, 2026 at 09:04 AM2 min

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Kazakhstan plans to cut cargo delivery time between China and Europe through its territory to three days by building 1,574 km of new highways. The government announced the target on September 5 as part of its transport and logistics development review. The new roads are scheduled for completion by 2029.

Key Facts

Three new highways — Beineu–Saksaulsky, Ulgaisyn–Saksaulsky, and Kyzylorda–Saksaulsky — total 1,574 km and are scheduled for completion by 2029.
In 2026, road works cover about 11,000 km: 3,400 km of new construction, 5,000 km of repairs on national roads, and 2,400 km on local roads.
Kazakhstan is modernizing 37 of 39 automobile border crossing points on the internal EAEU border.
Rail transit volume reached 33 million tonnes, and industry revenue exceeded 3 trillion tenge over five years.
Trans-Caspian route cargo volume grew 5.6 times, from 800,000 to 4.5 million tonnes over five years.

New Highway Projects

The government's September 5 review identifies three priority highways: Beineu–Saksaulsky, Ulgaisyn–Saksaulsky, and Kyzylorda–Saksaulsky. Their combined length is 1,574 km, with construction planned for completion by 2029. These roads are expected to cut China–Europe transit time through Kazakhstan by nearly a third, to three days. Other major projects include Aktobe–Kyzylorda, the Saryagash station bypass, Zhanaozen–Turkmenistan border, Center–West, and Karaganda–Zhezkazgan.

Border Crossing Modernization

Kazakhstan is reconstructing 37 of 39 automobile border crossing points on the internal EAEU border. The government expects this to increase throughput and reduce border crossing time. Digital platforms E-Joldar and Smart Cargo are being developed to monitor road construction and manage cargo flows with a green corridor principle.

Rail and Port Expansion

About 5,000 km of railway lines were built or modernized in Kazakhstan over five years. Rail transit volume reached 33 million tonnes, and industry revenue exceeded 3 trillion tenge. Reconstruction of 124 railway stations is underway, with work completed at 100 of them. Trans-Caspian route cargo volume grew from 800,000 to 4.5 million tonnes over five years, a 5.6-fold increase. Kazakhstan plans to increase sea port capacity from 21.8 million to 30 million tonnes by 2030, with continued development of Aktau and Kuryk ports.