By order of the head of state, the longest bridge in the country has been constructed over the Bukhtarminskoye Reservoir in East Kazakhstan. The project aims to address a long-standing issue of transport connectivity, reports Kazpravda.kz citing the Ministry of Transport.
“For a long time, people were forced to cross the water obstacle only by ferry or over the ice in winter, which was extremely inconvenient. Now this problem has been resolved,” noted the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Currently, the Kurchum Bridge provides year-round safe movement for vehicles, connecting the Kurchum, Ulken-Narynsky, Markakolsky, Katon-Karagay, Tarbagatai, and Zaisan districts of East Kazakhstan with the city of Ust-Kamenogorsk.
In the first four months, approximately 170,000 vehicles have crossed the bridge, with around 1,500 cars using it daily.
Previously, residents of the region had to make detours of up to 500 kilometers, significantly increasing travel time and transportation costs.
The bridge was built by a Kazakhstani company from East Kazakhstan, which allowed the use of local resources and specialists, creating new jobs in the region.
The project was implemented using advanced engineering technologies while adhering to all quality standards.
The total length of the bridge is 1,316 meters, with a width of 12.2 meters. A pedestrian walkway is provided on one side of the bridge. To protect the structure during winter, special ice cutters are installed on each support to prevent damage from drifting ice.
Additionally, the distance from the water to the bottom of the bridge is 18 meters, allowing vessels to pass underneath without obstruction during navigation periods.
To ensure safety on the bridge over the Bukhtarminskoye Reservoir, 102 surveillance cameras have been installed: 62 are located on the upper part of the bridge, and 40 are underneath. The cameras operate in real-time, providing continuous monitoring of the traffic situation.
Local residents note that the bridge has resolved the issue of transport accessibility between communities on both sides of the reservoir. This has enhanced mobility for citizens, expedited the movement of goods, and provided access to all necessary services.
The Kurchum Bridge is not just a structure, but a symbol of progress and new opportunities for the entire region. According to local resident Aibar Yerikov, the bridge has become a “gateway to the big world.”
“I remember how in winter we all waited for the ice to become thick enough to cross to the other side of the Bukhtarminskoye Reservoir. Now we don't even think about it! Get in the car — and you’re already on the other side. For us, this bridge is like a door to a big world. Traveling to the city has become much easier, faster, and safer,” he remarked.
Small business owner Ainash Orazbayeva claims that trade in the region has become more vibrant.
“Previously, delivering goods to us was a real quest: in summer — by ferry, in winter — over the ice, and during the off-season, nothing could be delivered at all. Now supplies flow without interruption, the range of products in stores has increased, and prices have stabilized. Working with the bridge has become easier, and life for people has become more convenient,” she says.
Owner of a freight truck, Murat Ramazanov, shared more about the savings in travel time.
“If before I had to detour an extra 500 kilometers around the Bukhtarminskoye Reservoir because I’m not an extreme person and didn’t want to test the ice’s strength with my truck, now I just drive across the bridge. This saves not only fuel but also time and nerves,” he shared.
The Kurchum Bridge has become a catalyst for the socio-economic development of East Kazakhstan and has a positive impact on the development of the transport and logistics sector of the country as a whole. It has improved logistics routes and ensured uninterrupted connections with neighboring countries. Furthermore, the bridge will help unlock the region's tourism potential, the Ministry of Transport added.