Modernized Zhybek Zholy border crossing between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to open in September

The modernized Zhybek Zholy border checkpoint, a key crossing point between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, is scheduled to open in September this year. The announcement was made by Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin, who highlighted the development of road and rail checkpoints as a central focus of bilateral cooperation.

The checkpoint, known as Gishtko‘prik on the Uzbek side and historically as Chernyaevka, has been undergoing reconstruction since 2022. It was closed for this work on February 5, 2025. Upon completion, its capacity will be significantly increased: it will be able to process up to 70,000 people per day, compared to the previous limit of 30,000, and handle over 2,000 passenger vehicles daily. Alternative routes have been organized for various types of transport and pedestrians during the renovation period.

In parallel with the road crossing upgrade, both nations are advancing their railway infrastructure. A major project is the construction of the 152-kilometer Darbaza — Maktaaral railway line. Launched in late 2023 with an estimated cost of $545 million, this line aims to increase cargo flow by up to 20 million tons annually.

The new railway is also designed to redistribute freight traffic from the overloaded Saryagash — Tashkent section and alleviate congestion at Saryagash station, thereby boosting export shipments towards Uzbekistan.

Furthermore, leveraging this new infrastructure framework, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan continue to develop an International Center for Industrial Cooperation. This center is intended to serve as a platform for joint manufacturing projects between the two countries.