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The longest bridge in the country was opened on the Bukhtarma reservoir

The project is reportedly aimed at solving the long-standing problem of transport connectivity; the bridge connects six districts: Kurchum, Ulken Naryn, Markakol, Katon-Karagay, Tarbagatai and Zaysan.

Transport Minister Marat Karabayev reported to the head of government on the completion of the construction of a two-lane automobile bridge 1,316 meters long. The structure will be able to handle up to 80,000 cars per day, and 18 km of new roads have been brought to the crossing.

The project was implemented using advanced engineering technologies and in compliance with all quality standards.

At a meeting with residents of the region, the Prime Minister noted that the implementation of the project will ensure year-round safe movement of vehicles, give impetus to the socio-economic development of East Kazakhstan and have a positive impact on the development of the country's transport and logistics industry.

"The new bridge was built on the instructions of the head of state in order to improve the comfort and safety of residents. You know that for 50 years, citizens in the region have been traveling either by ferry in the summer or directly on the ice in the winter. Local residents have been waiting for the construction of the structure for a long time," Olzhas Bektenov emphasized.

East Kazakhstan is a strategic region with important transport corridors. The bridge across the Bukhtarma Reservoir will improve logistics routes and ensure uninterrupted connections with bordering countries.  
  
In turn, residents of the region who witnessed the opening of the bridge commented that the bridge will significantly improve transport links between settlements on both sides of the reservoir, which will ensure the mobility of citizens, speed up the movement of goods, increase access to services, and also help to reveal the tourism potential of the region.  

"In 2019, the residents of this region wrote an appeal to the president of the country. Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich paid attention to the requests of the people, funds were allocated for the construction of the bridge. Only citizens of our country worked on the project. Not a single specialist brought in from abroad. How many people found work! The construction was carried out in any weather - both in the winter cold and in the summer heat," said honorary citizen of the Kurchum district Bakytkhan Olmesekov.

He called the bridge an important infrastructure project and a historical site for the country's residents and noted that the distance that used to take hours can now be covered very quickly. The winter crossing was especially difficult.

The Prime Minister noted that special attention is paid to attracting domestic specialists and contractor companies during the implementation of major projects.  

"The head of state pays a lot of attention to this project and to the development of regions in general. You said it right, there should be more mega-projects that provide jobs, infrastructure connectivity, and development. We have enough competencies - without involving anyone from outside. We can implement such large projects of national importance. And this will continue. Now, on the instructions of the president, the government is pursuing a policy of supporting domestic entrepreneurs, domestic producers," Olzhas Bektenov noted. 

Photo: Government