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Construction of the first tunnel in Kazakhstan, which is located at “Shymkent - border of Zhambyl oblast” highway section, is being carried out by joint venture "Dena Rahsaz and Sargin"(Iran/Turkey).
Before the construction commencement in early 2013 the contractor proposed to construct a tunnel instead of excavation more than 35 m within the prescribed contract value.
Committee for Roads together with foreign engineers with great experience in the construction field studied the Contractor’s proposal. As a result, it was found out that the proposed option by the Contractor proved to be the best under all criteria (cost savings during operation, especially in the winter time, durability, safe and smooth traffic in order to avoid possible claims during blasting, etc.).
In early 2015 the contractor started work on heading method of tunneling, but during carrying out work, the contractor faced with problems such as the presence of large amounts of spring water, the difference between soil stones (soft up to 5 m with a subsequent transition to solid soil or vice versa). These facts considerably influenced the terms of construction; the completion of major works is planned for next year.
Currently, the following works have been performed:
Right side: Exit - 193.5 m, Entry - 218.2 m
Left side: Exit - 244.35 m, Entry - 390.8 m
Shaft tunnel - drilled 51 m (total 111 m)
Total drilled 1046.85 m out of 1382.6 m (76%)
The following road building machinary and equipment is involved:
- Horizontal drilling machine - 3 units,
- Vertical drilling machine - 3 units,
- Bulldozer - 1 unit,
- Excavator - 3 units,
- Loader - 2 units,
- Dump - 10 units.
- Compressor - 2 units
- Generator - 4 units
- Equipment for the application of shotcrete - 1 unit.
83 people, including 29 foreign and 54 local staff are working in the construction of tunnel.