The project to construct the road section from Balykchy to Barskoon faced several difficulties, leading to a revision of the implementation timeline. According to Minister of Transport and Communications Talantbek Soltobaev, the original contractors were unable to fulfill their obligations within the established timeframe.
"There are 6 kilometers left to asphalt, and we are just finishing them. As long as the weather remains good, I believe we will complete the paving entirely."
Reasons for delay and new contractors
Initially, the state assigned 141 kilometers of the road to two local companies, each taking on 70 kilometers. The contractors promised to perform the work more cheaply than foreign firms; however, the project launched without finalized design and estimate documentation, and prices were underestimated.
The situation was complicated by external factors: rising prices for metal, fuel, and other construction materials amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict. As a result, the allocated funds proved insufficient. To complete the work, the ministry engaged additional contractors and revised the estimated cost of the remaining sections for 2024–2025.
Current status of work
At present, most of the highway is already ready. By the end of August 2026, 135 kilometers of the road had been completed. Currently, the Ministry of Transport is completing the final problematic section using its own resources.
