International Development Association to finance highway construction and airport modernization in Kyrgyzstan

Almaty. August 18. Silkroadnews – The International Development Association, a member of the World Bank (WB), will finance the completion of construction of Tup-Kegen highway and Karakol airport modernization in Kyrgyzstan, KyrTAG reports.

As the country's Deputy Minister of Transport and Road Erkinbek Osoev informed at the meeting of Coordination Council on Macroeconomic and Investment Policy under the Kyrgyz government, the International Development Association of the World Bank is interested in financing the project «The third phase of the program on improving road communication lines in Central Asia» in the amount of $80 million.

The project provides for reconstruction of Tup-Kegen highway, airports of Karakol and «Issyk-Kul», as well as for measures to improve domestic airlines' flight safety.

«There are several issues the project is directed to solve. Tup-Kegen road reconstruction is delayed due to lack of funds. The works have not even been started on the site from 39 to 76 kilometers. The project suggests full completion of construction work on Tup-Kegen road up to «Karkyra» checkpoint, which would allow creating an alternative route from Almaty to Karakol two times shorter compared with the current one», E. Osoev said.
He noted, the Karakol Airport serves general air traffic and small charter aircraft only.

«The airport infrastructure is outdated both morally and technically, the runway, taxiway and aprons, as well as objects of the air navigation system, are subjects to reactivation and modernization. It is planned to have a full modernization and reconstruction of Karakol airport infrastructure», E. Osoev also added.

According to him, «Issyk-Kul» airport shall also have a due infrastructure, yet it doesn't have a fueling complex.

«Now the aircraft fueling is carried out with the help of mobile water tankers coming from Bishkek. There are serious failures to meet the air traffic safety norms and standards by local carriers observed. It was proposed to build a fueling complex at the «Issyk-Kul» airport and, possibly, expand the passenger terminal», the deputy minister said.
The project is scheduled to start in 2017 and be competed in 2022.