Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has launched the construction of the Baraskoon–Bedel highway, a key link in a new transit corridor to China. The project is being funded entirely by Kyrgyzstan’s own resources, without foreign loans, the presidential press service reported.
The road will traverse the Baraskoon, Sook, and Ashuu-Suu mountain passes and the Kara-Say Valley. Major engineering works include a 5.5-kilometer tunnel through the Sook Pass and a 3.8-kilometer tunnel at Ashuu-Suu, a snow-prone area. An elevated bridge structure will be built across the Kara-Say Valley.
Japarov recalled that the opening of the Bedel border crossing had been discussed since 1996 but long delayed. A breakthrough came in 2023 at the China–Central Asia summit, when an agreement was reached with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Since then, the project has been under the president’s personal oversight.
Located in the southeast of Issyk-Kul Region, the Bedel checkpoint will become the third official border crossing between Kyrgyzstan and China, joining Torugart in Naryn Region and Irkeshtam in Osh Region.
“We are building this road with our own strength — this is a sign of our nation’s maturity,” emphasized Japarov.
The Chinese company China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) has been selected as the main contractor. Core construction is set to finish by September 2029, with full commissioning planned for 2030. Work on the border checkpoint itself will begin shortly.
Once completed, the route from Aksu in China to Kyrgyzstan will be shortened by 500 kilometers, saving freight carriers over 12 hours. The project is expected to significantly boost trade with China and strengthen bilateral ties.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
August 27, 2025