Bishkek City Hall has unveiled plans to relocate the railroad from the city center to the outskirts, replacing it with an expressway and residential developments with integrated shopping centers. While the initiative aims to modernize the capital’s infrastructure, it has drawn criticism from experts in transportation and urban planning.
Plans for Relocation
Bishkek Mayor Aibek Junushaliev outlined the project during a parliamentary session, revealing that the new railroad route would be constructed near the northern bypass road. The Chinese company China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) has expressed readiness to finance the project, which is estimated to cost $550 million. In exchange, CRBC is seeking ownership of the land vacated by the current railroad. Alternatively, the city is also exploring the possibility of self-financing the project.
“We’ve conducted the necessary studies. Relocating the railroad to the south of Bishkek would harm the environment, so we decided to move it to the north, outside the city,” Junushaliev explained. He added that the project would include the creation of a new transportation hub with a railroad and a modern railway station.
CRBC recently presented several potential routes for the relocated railroad during a working meeting with city officials.
Criticism from Experts
Despite the ambitious nature of the proposal, the plan has been met with skepticism from some in Kyrgyzstan. Specialists in transport infrastructure argue that Bishkek’s traffic congestion issues would be better addressed by improving traffic regulation and constructing multi-level interchanges, rather than embarking on an expensive relocation project.
Talant Sadakbayev, head of the Independent Engineering Association, emphasized the need for detailed planning and feasibility studies before proceeding.
“Relocating the railroad will involve more than just moving the tracks—it will require rebuilding the entire railroad infrastructure, including stations, sidings, signal systems, and freight loading and unloading facilities. This is a complex and costly endeavor,” Sadakbayev told The Times of Central Asia.
He added that Kyrgyzstan already has affordable access to reinforced concrete due to production quarries near Bishkek, suggesting that constructing an expressway over the existing railroad could be a more cost-effective solution.
Challenges and Alternative Solutions
Sadakbayev questioned whether the proposed expressway would deliver the anticipated benefits, stressing the importance of data-driven planning.
“Authorities need to analyze cellular data to determine where people live and work, as well as how cargo and passenger traffic is organized. In some areas, solutions might involve widening streets, improving traffic signals, or simply changing road markings,” he said.
Sadakbayev also noted that Bishkek’s road network problems are not being addressed comprehensively, leading to persistent traffic congestion. He criticized the lack of specialized expertise within city authorities, pointing to this as a barrier to effective urban planning.
Future Developments
In addition to the railroad relocation project, the mayor’s office is planning to build new traffic interchanges to alleviate congestion. CRBC is also expected to participate in these developments. According to Mayor Junushaliev, construction on three overpasses in different parts of Bishkek will commence in the near future.
While the relocation of the railroad and the construction of an expressway represent bold initiatives, experts warn that without thorough planning and careful consideration of alternative solutions, the project may fail to achieve its goals of easing traffic and improving urban infrastructure. For now, the debate continues as city authorities and experts work to address Bishkek’s pressing transportation challenges.
