Uzbekistan upgrades its A380 highway to improve China–Europe freight connectivity, reduce transport costs and increase traffic capacity, with the 25-kilometre expansion nearing completion.
Uzbekistan is expanding a major highway in its northwestern Karakalpakstan region to improve freight transportation and strengthen trade connectivity between China and European markets. The infrastructure upgrade is expected to reduce transportation times, lower logistics costs and increase the capacity of a key Central Asian route used by international freight operators.
The project involves widening a 25-kilometre section of the A380 highway between Nukus and Urgench from two lanes to four lanes. Construction is approximately 90 per cent complete, with the remaining work expected to be finished by the end of 2026. The project is valued at US$48.7 million and forms part of a broader road development programme supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
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The highway improvement builds on the reconstruction of a separate 240-kilometre section extending from Kungrad towards the Kazakhstan border, which was completed in 2024. Transport operators have reported significant improvements following the upgrade. Damir Mamutov, General Manager of freight company Promizvest Servis, said trucks previously required 10 to 12 hours to cover the 240-250-kilometre journey between Kungrad and Beyneu. Following reconstruction, the same journey can now be completed in approximately three to four hours.
Improved road conditions have also reduced vehicle maintenance requirements. Freight operators previously experienced frequent tyre and suspension damage, sometimes after just one or two journeys. The reconstructed highway has helped reduce these problems and lower operating expenses for transportation companies.
According to project officials, the completion of the ongoing upgrade is expected to increase daily traffic from approximately 6,000-7,000 vehicles to 14,000-15,000 vehicles. The project also includes dedicated U-turn overpasses that will allow vehicles to change direction without crossing lanes carrying oncoming traffic.
The wider road improvement programme has a total budget of US$383.4 million, comprising US$274.2 million in ADB loans and US$109.2 million from the Uzbek government. The A380 highway forms part of Corridor 2 of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) programme, which brings together 11 countries to strengthen regional transport infrastructure and trade connectivity.
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Despite improvements in physical infrastructure, border delays and customs procedures continue to affect freight movement. The ADB is supporting efforts to modernise border crossings through digital documentation, electronic truck queuing systems and improved inspection facilities. In August 2026, the bank approved a separate US$400 million regional financing facility to upgrade road and rail border infrastructure across the CAREC region.
The highway expansion reflects Uzbekistan's broader efforts to strengthen its position in international trade networks by improving transport links between Central Asia, China and Europe.