Uzbekistan advances legal framework for toll roads and infrastructure

The bill establishes a legal framework for constructing toll roads and outlines incentives for investors funding such projects, a shift from earlier plans for a separate toll road law. It also introduces a planning mechanism to align road development with the needs of the population and economy. Road design must now consider public opinion, environmental impact, and accessibility for pedestrians.

Additionally, the law addresses cost recovery for road repairs related to communication network construction, sets regulations for oversized and heavy vehicles, and establishes standards for roadside service facilities.

Deputies noted that the bill paves the way for a toll road network in Uzbekistan, attracting investment while improving road quality and longevity.

Background

Discussions on toll roads in Uzbekistan began in 2018, when German company GP Günter Papenburg was engaged for a toll road project. In February 2019, the Committee for Automobile Roads (Uzavtodor) drafted a law on toll roads, defining pricing and payment collection mechanisms, but it was not adopted after public consultation.

In early 2024, renewed discussions emerged about a dedicated toll road law. Bakhtiyor Rakhmatov, Director of the Strategic Reforms Agency, emphasized that it would regulate toll road construction, operation, and payment distribution.

Two toll road projects – Tashkent–Samarkand and Tashkent–Andijan – have been under discussion. The Tashkent–Andijan road’s estimated cost rose from $2.83 billion in 2022 to $/glm/4.65 billion in 2024, while the Tashkent–Samarkand road is valued at $1.4 billion.

In January 2025, the Ministry of Transport announced a tender for the first phase of the Tashkent–Andijan road, covering design, construction, financing, and maintenance of the Tashkent–Angren–Kamchik Pass section. The tender deadline was extended twice. In March, the president was informed that the feasibility study for the 300interior Tashkent–Samarkand highway, approximately 300 km long, was completed. The highway is expected to reduce travel time to three hours and ease the load on the existing road.