Thanks to the large-scale initiatives of the National Leader of the Turkmen People, Hero-Arkadag, and President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the country has intensified the modernisation of its transport, logistics, and communications networks. This made it possible to lay the foundation for the formation of a modern transit and telecommunications infrastructure in the shortest possible time. The implementation of comprehensive measures to revive the Great Silk Road in a new format not only stimulates economic growth in our sovereign Fatherland, but also ensures the socio-cultural development of the entire region. Turkmenistan, with its advantageous geographical location, is strengthening its status as a key transport hub on the continent, striving to harness its enormous potential for the benefit of all humanity.
In accordance with the strategy being implemented, the roads of the country are regularly upgraded, new steel highways of national and international significance are being built, and major investment projects to modernise the maritime fleet are being implemented. This large-scale approach effectively confirms the role of Turkmenistan as an influential transit state not only in Central Asia, but throughout the Eurasian region. Consistent expansion of potential of the domestic transport industry directly contributes to the economic strength of the country, increased prestige on the global stage, and the dynamic expansion of trade relations with neighbouring countries, thereby guaranteeing stability and peace in the region. Under these conditions, railway routes operating in the East-West and North-South directions acquire special strategic significance, linking the economic centres of Europe and Asia.
A truly historic event on this route took place in April of this year, when, with the blessing of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the Mary-Turkmenabat section of the Ashgabat-Turkmenabat high-speed highway was ceremoniously commissioned. The launch of this strategic facility has enabled the quality of logistics services to be raised to a fundamentally new level, transit capabilities to be significantly expanded, and foreign trade turnover to be increased. Furthermore, the highway ensured maximum comfort for passengers, created significant incentives for a multiple increase in freight traffic passing through Turkmenistan, and opened up new prospects for cross-border partnership with Uzbekistan.
A special role in the formation of this extensive network belongs to the unique bridges across the Amy derya, built on the initiative of Hero-Arkadag. Thus, the Kerki-Kerkichi railway bridge, which was put into operation on the 16th of September, 2009, is extremely complex in terms of engineering and has reduced freight transportation costs by 3-5 times and has had a significant impact on the industrial development of the colossal wealth of the right bank of the river. On the 14th of February, 2013, a modern automobile bridge was opened here, becoming another vital artery for socio-economic development and significantly improving the quality of life of the local population.
As part of the further development of this transport corridor, in accordance with the Decree of the President of Turkmenistan from 2013, construction of new crossings between Turkmenabat – Farap began to replace the outdated bridge structures built at the beginning of the twentieth century. The designs of these structures, designed to withstand heavy loads, were implemented with impeccable quality. The new 1750-metre-long railway bridge was officially opened on the 7th of March, 2017, and soon after, a 4-lane, 21.5-metre-wide road bridge was completed on schedule. To ensure complete safety of traffic, the designers included six-kilometer access junctions and one-and-a-half-metre pedestrian zones on both sides.
The construction of high-speed highways and bridges across the Amy derya is of colossal importance not only for increasing domestic potential of our country, but also for strengthening trusting relations between countries in the region. Humanity, peacefulness and good neighborliness remain the unshakable foundation of the foreign policy of independent, neutral Turkmenistan. Bridges connect roads, and roads unite peoples. The large-scale modernisation of the entire transport infrastructure, aimed at protecting the interests of the Motherland and its happy citizens, serves as a shining example of the successful implementation of state programs.
