Construction and operation of the Big Almaty Ring Road (BAKAD)

The Bank’s funding for this project totals US $135 million. The 66-km road will be a 9 km stretch of four lanes and 57 km with six lanes, together with bridges, interchanges, toll booths, and other essential infrastructure. By 2038, road freight traffic within the BAKAD area is expected to grow by 87% to 35.9 million tonnes. During the construction phase, the project (including contractors and subcontractors) will create over 1,500 jobs, with priority given to local workers (approximately 70%) and efforts made to recruit vulnerable groups. Construction is already 90% complete and the project is due to be commissioned in spring 2023. BAKAD will redistribute traffic within and around Almaty, serving as a bypass for the city centre. It will enhance transport services, mitigate the negative environmental impact of traffic, reduce travel times, and improve road safety. The project will contribute to environmental improvement in and around the city by alleviating the burden on Almaty’s transportation system. It will also generate employment opportunities and stimulate the economy of the entire region. Furthermore, it will alleviate traffic congestion on the main roads leading to Almaty.