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Abelgazi Kussainov, Minister of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Kazakhstan, conducted a number of meetings, discussing the progress of Project implementation for Road reconstruction of International Transit Corridor “Western Europe – Western China”. Particularly, mobilization of Contractors and their readiness for construction works in South-Kazakhstan and Zhambyl regions, on March 31, 2011. The heads of regional departments of the Committee for Roads of the above regions, as well as Contractors and Subcontractors involved, participated in the work of those meetings.

Reference: Total length of the Corridor “Western Europe – Western China” is 8445 km, out of which 2 787 km pass through the territory of Kazakhstan. 2452 km have been subjected to reconstruction, including the transfer into I technical category with 4-lane traffic of 1390 km of the road (Kyzylorda – Turkestan – Shymkent – Taraz – Almaty – Horgos), into II technical category, sections with total length of 1062 km. Improvement of geometric parameters of the route (turns, visibility, declines) is foreseen.

Opening the work of the meeting, the Head of the Transport Agency stressed that this project has enormous importance not only for the branch, but overall republic. This is due to the fact that reconstruction of International Transit Corridor has a multiplication influence over the development of the economy of the regions, where it passes, and it gave an opportunity for creation of new working places, served as an impulse for strengthening of the sphere of small and medium-sized business.

According to the Minister, the most important and fundamental for achievement of the final objective in construction works organization is the initial organizational stage. It covers everything – from timely compiling of the required documents till mobilization of equipment and manpower and commencement of construction works. At the moment the task of finalizing all required procedures and timely commencement of construction works has been given to regional departments and Contractors of this region.

The required competitive biddings were conducted in South-Kazakhstan Oblast in November last year, and the Contracts were signed with six Contractors, who started preparation for the construction works for the sections with common length of 224 km. Including companies “Dena Rahsaz” (Iran), “Copri Seiser” (Kuweit / Kazakhstan), “Kukdong”, “Posco” (South Korea), “Sinohidro” (China) and JV “Azerkorpu / Tepe” (Azerbaijan/Turkey). The task has been set before these companies to provide arrangement of 140 km of the road.

 During the work of the meeting the Head of the Transport Agency has heard the reports about the progress of the preparatory work, submitted by the Heads of the Regional Department of the Committee for Roads, Contractors, Engineer’s Service, Construction Supervision Consultants, as well as Project Management Consultants.

Unfavourable comments, regarding poor mobilization of equipment and procurement of materials, resulted in backlog of the time schedules, were given to the companies “Posco” and “Sinohidro”. Moreover, letter of notice about comments recovery has been sent to the head offices of the companies, based on the results of which the matter of their further participation in the project will be considered.

One of the key standards, qualifying the Contractors for construction of the Corridor “Western Europe – Western China”, is maximum application of domestic goods and materials, as well as local manpower. In this connection appropriate instructions have been given to all Contractors.

Not the least of the aspects is maintenance of historical and cultural monuments of the region. Research works, conducted only in the vicinage of Shymkent city, revealed ten archeological monuments along the site of the future “Shymkent city By-Pass”. Including ancient Hurlug settlement, medieval complex Ribads, with the area of 3 hectares, four burial places and two postdate settlements. According to tentative conclusions of the archeologists, they are of great historical value and were built not less than two thousand years ago. Therefore, all discovered monuments, including emergency zone, will be fenced with protective blocks and other fences during the overall construction period.

The readiness of Zhambyl Oblast has been also considered, where the construction works have been already started in 2009. Construction was executed all over the sections in the above region in 2011. Efficient arrangement of mobilization enabled to lay 20 km of asphalt concrete coating, to provide laying of 57 km of cement concrete coating and to open traffic for 50 km of new roads during the last construction season.

300 km of the road has been planned to arrange in the current year, including 54 km of asphalt concrete coating and 246 km of cement concrete coating.
 Till date the procurement of building materials has been made in the region, 1288 units of equipment and 3057 people have been mobilized. The work is in progress for construction of bridges, overpasses and interchange. 

Abelgazi Kussainov gave a positive evaluation for the work of Contractors in this region, having mentioned the necessity of efficient application of all technical and human resources in the forthcoming construction season.