Kazakhstan’s rail network is a strategic national asset, vital for a country of its vast size and landlocked geography. Without direct access to the world’s oceans, railways serve as critical arteries for trade and transit. Under new geopolitical and logistical conditions, the importance of modernizing and expanding this network has become increasingly urgent.
Spanning 21,000 kilometers, Kazakhstan’s railroads form the backbone of its transportation infrastructure. By 2030, the country plans to modernize 11,000 kilometers of highways and construct over 5,000 kilometers of new railways. Among these ambitious projects are the construction of second tracks on the Dostyk-Moyinty railway section, a bypass railway line around Almaty, and two new lines: Darbaza-Maktaaral and Bakhty-Ayagoz.
Expanding Trade with China: Increased Cargo Traffic
The Dostyk border station has become a key hub for exports to China and a vital transit point for East-West trade. In recent years, growing cargo volumes and limited capacity have placed immense pressure on its infrastructure. The Dostyk-Alashankou junction point, with a current capacity of 20 million tons annually, handled 15.2 million tons in the first 10 months of this year alone – a 15% increase compared to the same period last year.
To address these challenges, construction of second railroad tracks on the Dostyk-Moyinty section began in November 2022. Part of the National Project: Strong Regions – Driver of the Country’s Development, this project aims to increase the section’s capacity fivefold, from 12 to 60 train pairs per day. Transportation speeds between China and Europe are also set to improve significantly, from the current 800 kilometers per day to 1,500 kilometers per day.
Official data indicates that 635 kilometers of the planned 836 kilometers have already been completed. The project involves 62 bridges, 242 pipelines, and a workforce of 24 construction companies and over 440 units of equipment. Completion is expected by late 2025.
Private Investments Driving New Railway Lines
Kazakhstan’s second major rail crossing with China, Altynkol station, has also reached its maximum capacity. Together with Dostyk, the two stations handle 28 million tons annually. This makes the development of the new 272-kilometer Bakhty-Ayagoz railway line essential. Connecting the border to the Semey-Aktogay section and the China-Europe corridor, the new line is expected to boost goods transportation to and from China by an additional 20 million tons.
This project, realized under a public-private partnership model, will feature the construction of 11 stations, 47 bridges, 23 railroad overpasses, and eight highway overpasses. It will also include five pedestrian bridges and 16 observation structures, utilizing over 500,000 locally manufactured sleepers and 36,000 rails. Approximately 1,700 jobs will be created during the construction phase, with priority given to local residents.
Alleviating Traffic in Almaty: A New Bypass Line
The 73-kilometer bypass railway line around Almaty is set to increase cargo capacity by 17 million tons annually. By redirecting traffic to the Zhetygen-Kazybek Bey line, this project will reduce congestion at the Almaty junction by 40%. Faster delivery times for goods and passengers – up to 24 hours shorter – are among the expected benefits.
Beyond logistics, the project is expected to improve the city’s environmental conditions by reducing urban rail traffic, thereby lowering air and noise pollution in Almaty.
Connecting Central Asia: Access Through Uzbekistan
The Darbaza-Maktaaral railway project is designed to handle over 20 million tons of cargo annually. A new border checkpoint between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan will alleviate pressure on the existing Saryagash-Tashkent section and increase freight speeds across Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Iran.
Additionally, the project will drive economic growth in the Turkestan region by linking the Maktaaral and Zhetysai districts with Kazakhstan’s national rail network. The initiative involves the construction of three junctions and five posts, employing over 3,000 workers. Completion is targeted for late 2026.
Enhancing Competitiveness on the Global Stage
Over the past 30 years, Kazakhstan has prioritized optimizing its railway network to remain competitive in the global transportation market. Current efforts focus on expanding mainline capacity, boosting transit volumes, and strengthening the nation’s position as a key trade hub for Central Asia and beyond.
Kazakhstan’s investment in rail infrastructure reflects its commitment to becoming a vital transit and logistics corridor in a rapidly evolving global economy.
