Chinese Government provides RMB 60 million grant for the Tajikistan-Uzbekistan Highway Rehabilitation/Reconstruction Project (Linked to Record ID#39989)

Project narrative

As part of a set of high-level agreements signed at the June 15, 2006 meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Chinese Government offered a RMB 60 million grant for the Tajikistan-Uzbekistan Highway Rehabilitation/Reconstruction Project. This project was also supported by a $281.1 million preferential buyer’s credit (PBC) from the Export-Import Bank of China (captured via Record ID#39989). Earlier, in March 2006, China and Tajikistan had signed a Memorandum of Understanding that stated the terms of preferential credits issuance for promotion of economic and social development of SCO members. One of the financing projects identified was this road project.China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) was the contractor responsible for project implementation. Construction began on July 11, 2006. The construction period was planned to be 38 months. The highway was commissioned in 2010, but work continued on the Shahristan tunnel. The project was wholly completed on October 27, 2012, with an opening ceremony for the Shahristan tunnel that was attended by President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon. The purpose of this project — also known as the 1st Stage of the Dushanbe-Khujand-Chanak Road Construction Project — was to reconstruct the 354 km highway connecting Dushanbe with Khujand, the center of the northern province, and the town of Chanak on the border with Uzbekistan. The project also involved the construction of the 5253-meter Shahristan tunnel (at a cost of $88,424), the 1047-meter Dusti tunnel, the Maikhura tunnel, 39 big and small bridges, and 6 km of avalanche defenses. The project reportedly reduced driving times from 12 hours to 4 hours and the Shahristan tunnel was reportedly the longest tunnel in Central Asia when it completed. To help repay the loan and cover the costs of maintaining the road, the Tajik Government made the highway a toll road in 2010 and allowed the private company Innovative Road Solutions to collect tolls.