OREANDA-NEWS. December 28, 2009. The pace of construction of the Turkmenbashi-Ashgabat-Farab highway – the main traffic artery connecting the east and west of the country, an important link of international transport infrastructure increases with every passing day. The total length of this strategically important highway crossing the entire country is over 1,500 km. Of them 400 km – from Turkmenbashi to the administrative border with Ahal Velayat runs across Balkan Velayat.

The subdivisions of Turkmenavtoyollary State Concern carry out the construction works on several sections of the highway that will replace the existing road that has been operated for dozens of years. Next year, it is planned to put 152-kilometre section of the highway – from Balkanabat to Turkmenbashi into operation. By its parameters the highway meeting the international standards belongs to the first category. Special attention is paid to the durability of the road base for trailers, propane-carries and other types of heavy-duty vehicles that make up a larger portion of traffic flow.

A larger part of the Turkmenbashi-Balkanabat highway section has been asphalted. High-powered earth-moving and road construction machinery – bulldozers, excavators, graders, dump trucks of the world’s leading companies – Caterpillar (USA), Komatsu (Japan), KAMAZ (Russia) help to carry out a huge volume of works.

Interchanges and other road infrastructure facilities that will reduce traffic load and ensure protection against mudflow and traffic safety are under construction along the route of the road connecting the maritime region with the capital city. The Turkish NET Yapi we Tijaret Limited Sirketi Company is engaged in construction of highway bridges at the request of Turkmenavtoyollary State Concern. Reinforced concrete beams, piles and other articles required for these facilities are produced in Bereket.

In total, over 30 bridges with the longest one 200 metres long, will be thrown over the hydraulic facilities on the Karakum River nearby Serdar town between Archman and Turkmenbashi. Five bridges are to be built over the railway running nearby Turkmenbashi, Balkanabat and Bereket.

As is known, establishment of modern transport and communication infrastructure is of paramount importance for Turkmenistan that has the abundant natural resources and favourable geographic location. Dynamic development of the national economy as well as expansion of foreign economic relations of the country that lies on the important routes connecting Europe, Asia, the Caucasus and the Far East requires high-quality highways for domestic and transnational cargo and passenger traffic.

During the recent working visit to Lebap Velayat this November the President of Turkmenistan underscored the need of the construction of the Turkmenabat-Farab highway bridge that would replace the existing pontoon bridge. The Turkmen leader stated that advanced technologies should be used to develop this important project. The President of Turkmenistan noted that being the largest transport centre on the Eurasian geopolitical area Turkmenistan had the huge transit potential, the implementation of which was a priority of the state policy.

Connecting the left and right banks of the Amu Darya River, the new bridge will be an important section of the Turkmenbashi-Ashgabat-Farab highway, the significance of which for the successful social and economic development of the regions, in particular Balkan and Lebap Velayats is difficult to overestimate. Like other thoroughfares of the country, it will open the gates for accelerated development of the oil and gas deposits and huge natural resources of the Karakum Desert and virgin lands, construction of new towns and settlements and creation of thousands of new jobs for local people.

Building of world-class roads is an essential factor for the development of tourism infrastructure and, first of all, creation of Avaza national tourism zone on the Caspian coast. In the near future, dozens of new tourist routes will run along the Turkmenbashi-Ashgabat-Farab highway providing an opportunity to get acquainted with the rich history and culture of the Turkmen people, the unique nature of the Turkmen land to numerous guests from all over the world.

Endeavouring to realize its economic potential and strengthen effective international cooperation Turkmenistan represented by its leader – President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov takes the concrete steps initiating and implementing the large-scale projects such as the construction of the North-South railway, the international airport and seaport in Turkmenbashi, the highway and railway bridges across the Amu Darya River. These and other very promising projects symbolizing the Great Silk Road that is being revived in the new historical epoch promote enhancing mutually beneficial trade and economic ties with the neighbouring countries in the Central Asian region as well as other countries across the world and increasing the common welfare and prosperity thus.